In the autumn of the fifth year of the Qing calendar, the Palace eunuch Hong Zhu carried a thick stack of documents. Half-bent, he jogged toward the room in the west corner of the door. The tips of his seemingly small feet stepped on the slightly wet ground without any hesitation. The hem of the light blue robe he wore had been lifted to prevent him from tripping over it. His right hand was placed horizontally on the stack of documents. The wide sleeve covered the documents tightly, terrified that the lead-like heavy clouds in the sky would squeeze out a few drops of rain and wet these documents.
Stepping over the threshold, he went through the procedures of taking over the documents. He exchanged names with the eunuchs in the room. Only then did Hong Zhu relax. He carefully signed his name on the form and handed over the documents in his clothes.
The Hall of Governmental Affairs was the central place where the Qing Kingdom handled court politics. In the past, its position was not as important as it was today because there was still a Prime Minister in charge of the six ministries. All memorials had to be read by the Prime Minister before they could enter the Palace to ask for an edict. Now that the powerful Prime Minister Lin Ruofu had quietly returned home, the position of the Hall of Governmental Affairs immediately became apparent. The Emperor had brought up a few old officials to discuss matters in the Hall of Governmental Affairs. He had placed the place of discussion outside the corner of the Royal Palace to make it easier to communicate.
Presently, the people in charge of court affairs in the Hall of Governmental Affairs were Shu the Scholar and a few old officials.
The slightly cold autumn wind blew in from the square in front of the Palace. Hong Zhu rubbed his hands and let out a breath. He stood quietly outside the door, waiting for the old officials' replies. At this time, he could not leave. He stood obediently outside the door and pricked up his ears to listen to the movements inside.
Occasionally, an official would walk past him and politely nod his head in greeting. Hong Zhu knew his identity and quickly smiled and bowed. However, no one thought it was strange for him to stay outside the Hall of Governmental Affairs' temporary study hall because they all knew this little eunuch's job.
Occasionally, some of the little eunuchs sent out by the Palace to serve the elders would see him and respectfully bow to him, inviting him to the side room to hide from the cold. Hong Zhu did not have much etiquette toward these little eunuchs. He nodded his head proudly and continued to stand guard outside the door.
He was only sixteen years old this year, but he had such a small status in the Imperial Palace. The reason was that his daily work was an extremely important part of the Imperial Palace. More importantly, his surname was Hong, so there had always been rumors in the Imperial Palace that he might be a relative of Eunuch Hong.
Hong Zhu rubbed the little fire lump growing on the left side of his lower lip. He was a bit angry. These few days, the Overwatch Council had been arresting people fiercely. The memorials from the civil officials were fiercely. The arguments in the Hall of Governmental Affairs were fiercely. He had been running around in and out of the Palace a few times a day. He was so busy that he pissed his pants. The anger in his body was too strong, and it had rushed out. He thought that when he returned to the palace, he would definitely go to the small kitchen and ask for a bowl of herbal tea to drink.
The discussion inside the door wasn't very loud, but it still reached his ears.
…
…
"This is a matter of the Overwatch Council. I don't know why His Majesty has returned the memorial."
"Perhaps..." The voice that followed was hesitant. "Is it because His Majesty feels that Commissioner Fan has gone too far recently?"
An old official's angry voice rang out, "How is it just going overboard? He, Fan Xian, is clearly using the power in his hands to strike down dissidents! In a short 10 days, he has arrested five officials and entered the Overwatch Council in the middle of the night to kidnap people. How is this like the Overwatch Council of the court? They are practically bandits in his hands! "
Another disapproving voice rang out, "Commissioner Fan does things openly and honorably. After these five officials were arrested, the next day, a detailed list of their crimes was posted on the wall outside the Supreme Court. The people of Jingdou all know. I think Sir Yan's words are a bit excessive. The First Bureau of the Overwatch Council does such things as supervising the governance of officials. What does it have to do with striking down dissidents? I think … it is because those five officials did not handle matters properly that there is such trouble. "
The old official surnamed Yan said angrily, "Not striking down dissidents? Then why did the Overwatch Council suddenly make so many moves after the Imperial Censorate reported him last time? "
That person smiled coldly and said, "If it was a strike for revenge, why did Sir Fan junior not make a move against the Imperial Censorate?"
"That is because His Majesty is wise and strictly forbids the Overwatch Council from participating in the Imperial Censorate's affairs!"
That person's cold laugh appeared even more disdainful. "Then dare I ask Minister Yan, what is the relationship between the Imperial Censorate and the Imperial Censorate? If Fan Xian wanted revenge, why did he arrest the director of the Imperial Censorate? "
The Minister of Appointments Yan Hangshu's words were cold for a moment. After a moment, he said in a cold voice, "No matter what, we can't let the Overwatch Council make matters worse. If they continue to arrest people like this, will they have to arrest all the officials of the court?"
That person said mockingly, "You can rest assured, Minister. The Overwatch Council does not have the power to act against officials of the third rank and above." The hidden meaning in these words was a bit sinister, implying that the Minister of Appointments was not upright, which was why he was so angry at the Overwatch Council's investigation. However, there was a limit to the Overwatch Council's power. Officials of the third rank and above could not be touched.
Yan Hangshu's angry voice immediately reached the ears of the young eunuch Hong Zhu outside the door. "How absurd! Are you going to watch the Overwatch Council grow from now on? "
The person who had spoken first began to act as a mediator. Warmly, he said, "Don't be angry, Minister. Xiao Qin, don't say anything else. The Overwatch Council can only investigate cases. Unless specifically approved by the emperor, they cannot judge cases. These officials …" He coughed and said, "Whether they are guilty or not will be decided after the Supreme Court has examined them. It's just that His Majesty's intention is very clear. The few of us must have an opinion. "
The person called Xiao Qin rushed to say, "Council affairs are matters the Emperor personally manages. As an official, I dare not comment too much."
Minister Yan said angrily, "I think this trend cannot be allowed to continue. If Fan Xian is allowed to do as he pleases, do you all really want the Qing court to produce another Chen Pingping?"
…
…
Hong Zhu, who was standing guard outside the door, stood on his tiptoes and clearly heard the conversation inside. A cold smile rose to the corners of his lips. He thought to himself, The relationship between the Emperor and Director Chen is not something you civil officials can compare to.
Just as he was thinking this, he saw the Advisor of the Bureau of Military Affairs, Qin Heng, push open the door with a cold smile on his face. He quickly went forward to curry favor and said, "Sir Qin, I am in a hurry to return to the Palace. When can I get it?"
Qin Heng was over 30 years old. He was the biological son of the Bureau of Military Affairs, General Qin. Last year, during the war against Northern Qi, he had been the commander of the Qing army at the time. Given his seniority, it was not enough for him to enter the Hall of Governmental Affairs to discuss matters. However, after the last strike, General Qin had claimed illness and did not appear in court. The Emperor had specially ordered Qin Heng to enter the Hall of Governmental Affairs to discuss matters. It could be considered a generous gift to the Qin family. It also showed that the Qing Kingdom still attached great importance to military service.
General Qin of the Bureau of Military Affairs claimed illness and did not appear in court. Originally, the officials thought it was because the Qin family could not bear to see the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council Fan Xian's popular arrogance in court. However, Hong Zhu heard Qin Heng defend Fan Xian at every turn, and he couldn't help but have some misgivings.
Qin Heng glanced at the little eunuch and smiled. "Let them argue all they want. In the end, no one will dare to go against the Emperor's will. You, don't keep eavesdropping. In any case, even if you were given 18 guts, you wouldn't dare to take it as a joke to others. Why bother keeping it to yourself?"
Hong Zhu lowered his eyes and smiled. He watched as the most popular military figure in court disappeared into the entrance of the guest room. He shook his head in confusion.
Before long, the Hall of Governmental Affairs' discussion, or rather, argument, finally ended under the mediation of Shu the Scholar. The various officials tactfully wrote down their opinions on the documents, asking the Emperor to be more careful about this matter. After all, although the five officials who had fallen from their horses were not of high rank, they were all old people in the capital. As the saying went, all things grieved for their own kind. These civil officials did not want to see the Overwatch Council pull them down so easily.
Thus, Hong Zhu carried the documents again and lifted his light blue palace robes to his waist. Using his sleeves to cover the documents, he stood on his tiptoes, arched his buttocks, and jogged toward the Palace.
From the temporary residence of the Hall of Governmental Affairs to the royal study in the Palace, it was all under the clouds. In everyone's eyes, under the protection of the palace guards, there was no need to worry that someone would harm the Qing Kingdom's most important documents. Hong Zhu was particularly pleased as he ran. Along the way, there were a few serving girls who greeted him with affectionate and gentle voices, but he had no time to pay attention to them. He also ignored the fawning gazes of the little eunuchs.
Running outside the royal study, Hong Zhu calmed his breathing and pushed open the door with his eyes lowered. He carefully and gently placed the documents under the desk.
The Emperor, who had been frowning as he read the memorials from the south, picked one up and read it. His frown grew tighter. His thin lips suddenly opened and he said in a cold voice, "These mediocre people! Shu Wu only knows how to laugh. Yan Hangshu, on the other hand, has some guts … hmm, the boy from the Qin family is not bad. "
Hong Zhu did not dare listen to these thunderous words of the Emperor. He stood silently to the side, his heart very nervous.
The Emperor waved his hand.
It was as if a heavy burden had been lifted from Hong Zhu's shoulders and he left the royal study. Today's matter was over. He followed the cobblestone path and made a few turns before coming to the side of Taiji Palace. In that side room, a few eunuchs were cracking melon seeds and playing. Seeing him come, they quickly invited him to take a seat and asked with a smile, "What's so strange about today?"
Hong Zhu's face carried impatience as he said, "Isn't it just listening to those elders quarrel every day? What's so new about it?"
These eunuchs quickly flattered him. "Eunuch Hong goes back and forth between the royal study and the Hall of Governmental Affairs every day. The important matters of the Qing court are all happening under your eyes, so naturally, you don't find it new."
Another one joined in the fun and said, "Of course, if you want to talk about the vital parts of the Qing court, they are all held in Eunuch Hong's arms."
No matter how proud Hong Zhu was, he still had a bit of wariness. He quickly put on a serious expression and said, "What nonsense are you saying? I am nothing more than a servant! "
The eunuch chuckled and said, "Other than the Emperor, all of the Qing officials and gentry are servants … Eunuch Hong, you don't know, but your name has spread far and wide. Even when I am outside buying cloth for the Palace, when others hear that I am on good terms with you, they all look at me in a different light. Everyone says that in Jingdou, other than Sir Fan junior in the Minister's manor, there is only you, Eunuch Hong."
Hong Zhu stretched out his hand and smoothed the strand of hair on his forehead. He smiled and didn't say anything. Although he knew that he and the world-shaking Sir Fan junior were not on the same level, everyone loved to hear flattery, particularly when he was mentioned in the same breath as that person. It was hard not to feel proud in his heart.
Just at that moment, a shadow walked past the door of the side hall. The eunuchs quickly shut their mouths. Hong Zhu's heart also trembled. He saw clearly that it was Eunuch Dai of Lady Shu's palace. Although he had accepted the task of holding documents, in terms of rank, he was far from Eunuch Dai's.
Only when Eunuch Dai had walked far away did a young eunuch spit on the ground. Seeming to feel that the silence just now was somewhat degrading, he hatefully said, "This Eunuch Dai is no longer the same as he was in the past. Fortunately, I didn't come to my senses earlier. Why should we pay attention to him when he is in such dire straits? “
Hong Zhu's heart jumped and he asked, "What happened to Eunuch Dai?"
The young eunuch's eyebrows danced as he said, "A few days ago, the Imperial Censor accused Sir Fan junior and pulled out Eunuch Dai. Although in the end, the Emperor beat the Imperial Censor with a rod, Eunuch Dai was also punished. Now I hear that not only has the Emperor taken away Eunuch Dai's task of announcing imperial edicts, but even Lady Shu is preparing to kick him out of the Palace."
To the side, another person said to Hong Zhu in a fawning manner, "Back when Eunuch Dai was popular, he beat and scolded us of the lower ranks. Now that he has lost power, who would want to pay attention to him? He is like an autumn leaf that has fallen into the mud. How can he compare to a fresh branch like Eunuch Hong? "
Hong Zhu listened to these fawning words that were becoming more and more unbearable and vulgar. He furrowed his brows and casually said a few words before quickly walking out of the side hall.
He hurried along the Palace's giant pillars and finally saw Eunuch Dai's somewhat dispirited figure in front of the stone door leading into the rear palace. He quickly ran forward and said in a fawning manner, "Eunuch Dai, I saw you from afar. I quickly came to pay my respects."
Eunuch Dai glanced at him with surprise. Recently, it was rare for the little bastards in the Palace to be as courteous as this person. He knew that Hong Zhu had been working in the royal study and was gradually becoming popular, so he found it increasingly strange.
Hong Zhu did not say what was going on. He only skillfully fed each word of compliment to the other's heart, making Eunuch Dai very happy. Only then did they part.
Watching Eunuch Dai disappear into the depths of the rear palace, the young Hong Zhu revealed a pleased smile at the corners of his lips.
Everyone else thought that Eunuch Dai would lose power, but Hong Zhu did not think so. Since Eunuch Dai had connections to Sir Fan junior outside the Palace, he would certainly stand up again. Hong Zhu, this young eunuch, did not have much confidence in Eunuch Dai, but he had incomparable confidence in Commissioner Fan.
Recently, he had been able to hear the discussions between the royal study and the Hall of Governmental Affairs every day. He knew just how popular Sir Fan junior was. The First Bureau of the Overwatch Council had arrested five officials within 10 days. The Emperor had maintained a neutral stance. No matter how strong the opinions of the Hall of Governmental Affairs were or how strong the backlash was, they were unable to touch Commissioner Fan at all.
Ten days and five officials. Although they were all third-level and below officials, as a eunuch deep in the Palace, Hong Zhu knew very well what kind of boldness Sir Fan junior needed to make such a big ruckus. He also knew what kind of backer stood behind him. He was often in the royal study and knew very well that this backer was the Emperor of Qing Kingdom.
Hong Zhu touched the acne by the side of his lips that was about to burst out. He was incomparably envious of the Sir Fan junior outside the Palace who was the center of attention. They were both young people, how could the difference in their lives be so great? If he could use Eunuch Dai's connection to attach himself to Sir Fan junior's side, that would be wonderful.
… …
The fall of the Imperial Astronomer, Ministry of Appointments, and five officials in a row caused the darkness of the Overwatch Council to once again envelop Jingdou.
However, the people of Jingdou did not care much about these things. In any case, the unlucky ones were all officials. What did it have to do with them?
In officialdom, the evaluation of the First Bureau of the Overwatch Council leaned toward the negative side. Other than feeling that it hurt its own kind, there was more that it did not understand. No official could understand why the young Commissioner Fan would make a move against these seemingly unremarkable officials.
Other than a very small number of people, no one knew that these fallen officials were all important pawns in the Second Prince's secret system.
Many people thought Fan Xian was taking revenge. He was angry at the Imperial Censors' collective complaints. However, he was hindered by the Emperor's strict edict and could not act against the Imperial Censorate. Thus, like a rash man who had been provoked, he held a seven-catty butcher's knife and roared on the long street. He cut down anyone he met, particularly young children who had no power to protect themselves to vent the gloom in his heart.
However, Commissioner Fan Xian, from his behavior in the past two years in the capital, should not be such an impulsive and brainless person.
…
…
Fan Xian sat in Xinfeng Restaurant with a smile. In his right hand, he held a pair of chopsticks and stirred the red noodles, which were covered in meat sauce and tempting saliva. In his left hand, he held the case files that Mu Tie had presented to him. These cases had been investigated very quickly. He had prepared well, and the First Bureau's evidence was very solid. It seemed that even if he were to send them to the Supreme Court or the Ministry of Justice, there would be no problem.
Before he began this operation, of course, he had first asked his father and the old cripple. The two old foxes had expressed their silence, and so Fan Xian knew their attitude.
This was something that had to be done. He had to make the Second Prince feel pain. He had to make him more cautious when listening to Xinyang in the future. At the same time, it would save him some trouble.
However, the Second Prince's reaction surprised Fan Xian. After He Zongwei had been chased out of the manor, he did not send anyone else to ask for peace. Presumably, the prince's dignity and self-restraint made him stop any further contact. However, the other party also did not launch a counterattack. There was something strange about this matter.
"What kind of place is Wangyue Restaurant?" Fan Xian asked curiously.
An obscene expression appeared on Mu Tie's face.
Fan Xian laughed and scolded him. "You are so old. Be a good boy and go home to your grandchildren. Don't keep thinking about such things."
Mu Tie's face was bitter. "Although Wangyue Restaurant is a brothel, it is one of the newest establishments in the capital this year. The First Bureau secretly investigated and found that there must be an important figure behind this place. Recently, there has been a lot of activity there. It seems that someone is secretly planning something."
Fan Xian had no interest in brothels. Liujing River was under the influence of Li Hongcheng, the heir of King Jing. Although he was secretly fighting with the Second Prince, he did not want to have a falling out with Li Hongcheng. They were friends, and who knew what would happen in the future?
But he was very interested in what Mu Tie had to say. "An important figure? How important? "
Mu Tie thought for a moment and then said, "This brothel has an evil air to it. It's very daring, and it does all sorts of evil things. Within a few months, it has forced a number of women to their deaths … Seeing Yin Mo's silent attitude, I'm afraid the person behind it … must be a prince."
Fan Xian was silent. He did not know whether it was the Crown Prince or the Second Prince who was behind Wangyue Restaurant. The Great Prince only liked to compete with people in the military, and His Majesty rewarded him generously. For the time being, he had no need for money.
Under these circumstances, he could not afford to offend everyone at once. Thinking that the Second Prince was more likely, Fan Xian felt a bit more at ease. He said to Mu Tie, "Find some time to investigate. If it is as you say, that this high-class brothel is used by the Great Prince to contact the officials in the capital, then send a few people in."
Mu Tie shook his head. "That place is tightly controlled, and it is newly opened. It will be difficult to get in. Also, the Overwatch Council only monitors the officials. They can't do anything to the merchants in the common folk."
Fan Xian looked at him angrily. "The Council may not be able to control the prostitutes, but it can control the yamen that controls them. In any case, keep a close eye on it."
There was something he did not say to Mu Tieming. The Second Prince was too modest and quiet. Fan Xian always felt that he was holding onto a trump card, waiting to play it out at some point.
After taking care of business, he did not return to the manor. Instead, with a headache, he sat in a carriage and went directly to King Jing's manor.
Today, the entire Fan family was at King Jing's manor.
For King Jing's birthday, he had not invited any guests. He had only invited Minister Fan's family. This kind of affection and care was right there. No matter how much Fan Xian did not want to see Li Hongcheng, he had to make this trip.
Walking into the manor, the first thing Fan Xian thought of was that a year and a half ago, he had once recited Lao Du's poem by the lake in the manor. After that, there had been the banquet, Zhuang Mohan vomiting blood, and Northern Qi's gift of a book — all these things seemed to have started in this quiet and noble manor before him.
Fan Xian suddenly thought of the carriage full of precious books. After he had given them to the Imperial College, he had never had a chance to look at them. As he was thinking, Li Hongcheng came to greet him. In his hand was a bowl of sour juice from outside the manor.
Fan Xian sighed to himself. He took the bowl and drank it. "You know I like the taste outside your manor," he said with a smile. The first time he had come to King Jing's manor, he had fainted and almost vomited. A bowl of sour juice had helped him recover.
Crown Prince Li Hongcheng looked into his eyes and shook his head. "Now that you have the power of supervision, you can arrest whoever you want. Why don't you take the sour juice peddler outside my manor and bring him back to your house?"
Fan Xian heard the sharpness in his words. He laughed bitterly. "I knew I couldn't escape today. When you brought me a bowl of sour juice, I thought it was strange. I thought you'd hit me with your fist."
Li Hongcheng snorted and walked side by side with him into the manor. "So you know I'm not happy?" He looked at Fan Xian and said hatefully, "It's not just me who doesn't understand. The Second Prince doesn't understand either. Since you are not one of the Crown Prince's people, why do you care about these things?"
Fan Xian shook his head and laughed bitterly. "Do you think I like to go around offending people? Or is it that person who forces me? "
Having said this, he pointed at the heavy autumn clouds in the sky. His fingers were straight, and he felt helpless.
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