Qian Ning saw that there was an endless stream of people patrolling downstairs. He rolled his eyes and said to his Imperial Bodyguard subordinates, "Go downstairs and guard the door. No one is allowed to come up and harass us." As soon as his subordinates left the room, Qian Ning immediately knelt on the ground and said respectfully, "Your Highness, I am Qian Ning."
Zhu Houzhao was surprised and looked up at Yang Ling. Yang Ling shook his head slightly. Qian Ning said respectfully, "I used to be the commander of the palace guards and had the honor to meet Your Highness. Your Highness is visiting incognito today. I didn't dare to expose Your Highness' identity. But now the whole city is searching for you. I can only rely on my identity as an Imperial Bodyguard to escort Your Highness back to the palace. Please forgive me."
Hearing this, Zhu Houzhao suddenly understood. He chuckled and said, "Get up, there's no need for those stupid rules. I didn't expect that beating up a scoundrel would attract all the scoundrels in the city. You're too cunning. If not for that, would you still pretend not to know me?"
Yang Ling also sighed and looked downstairs. He knew that he couldn't go to the Ministry of War to get Zheng He's sea map back today. Liu Jin whispered in his ear, "Yang, don't worry. The sea map has been in the Ministry of War for so many years. If it was lost, it would have been lost long ago. If it is not lost, we can find a chance to get it another day."
Yang Ling looked at him in surprise. Liu Jin smiled and said, "That sea map is a treasure left behind by Zheng Gonggong after exhausting his heart and soul. This great glory, this matter which is praised by ten thousand countries, is the meritorious service of us masters in the Palace. How can we bear to destroy it?"
Yang Ling was greatly surprised. Looking at the eunuch's comforting smile, his eyes couldn't help but moisten …
With Qian Ning leading more than a dozen Brocade Guards to "escort" them, the little ghosts, Ox-head and Horse-face they met along the way naturally did not dare to question them. Zhu Houzhao successfully returned to the Eastern Palace from the back gate of the Forbidden City.
As soon as he returned to the Spring Square, he slammed the table and said to Yang Ling, "Today's matter is a mess. But I promised the girl and there is no reason for me to break my promise. I said that I must return the document to her within three days. How do you think we can get it back? "
Yang Ling furrowed his brows. Back then, in order to trick Zhu Houzhao into leaving, he had only said a few words casually. Now it seemed that Yan Kuan was simply a person of the Marquis of Shouning. Zhang Heling could even handle the matter of building a city in Badaling for him. The relationship between the two was not ordinary, they were basically officials and businessmen.
Even if he used money to buy him, he probably wouldn't be tempted. Moreover, the Crown Prince wouldn't do such a thing. As for using his official power to oppress the Emperor, the current Emperor only favored the Empress. Looking at everyone's imposing manner in the capital today, was this Imperial Uncle someone to be trifled with? Unless the Hongzhi Emperor personally came forward, no one could suppress him.
Yang Ling frowned and thought for a while. He really couldn't think of any ideas. He looked up at the eight genius pranksters who were said to be able to think of ideas to harm people even in their dreams. He saw eight pairs of eyes staring at him. Yang Ling smiled bitterly. He could only ponder and said, "Yan Kuan is just a servant. There is nothing to worry about. It's just that Marquis Of Shouning is making decisions for him … If we want to touch him, we need Marquis Of Shouning to give in first."
Zhu Houzhao said, "There is no need to worry. Although Zhang Heling is the Imperial Uncle, his arrogance is really too arrogant. If we can break his prestige, it might not be a bad thing. If you have any ideas, just say them."
Yang Ling said in a low voice, "To make Marquis Of Shouning restrain himself, only His Majesty can do it. But if His Majesty wants to punish him, we need evidence that can make His Majesty angry … "
Hearing this, Gu Dayong interrupted: "That's easy. Just look at him forcefully occupying the people's foundation, expanding the streets, and privately teaching projects. That's enough to sue him. Moreover, I'm afraid that Marquis Shouning is more than … Hehe!"
Liu Jin frowned and said, "Even if we have evidence, we still need a capable person to present it to His Majesty. If we do it, His Majesty will certainly be suspicious. This matter …"
Zhu Houzhao said impatiently, "Why is it so troublesome? If it really doesn't work, I will take advantage of these few days when the Grand Tutors do not come to see me. I will find some time to go out of the palace and directly ask the Imperial Uncle for it. I don't believe that he will dare to offend me for a servant. "
Hearing the two words "Grand Tutor", Yang Ling's eyes lit up. He hurriedly asked, "Your Highness, do the Grand Scholars not need to come and teach you these few days?"
Zhu Houzhao looked at Gu Daeyong. Gu Daeyong said, "From tomorrow onwards, the three Grand Scholars will take turns to visit the examination venue. The other two will be in the palace dealing with government affairs. Therefore, the original three Grand Scholars will take turns to teach each day. Now, one Grand Scholar will teach each day, and the time will be reduced to two hours."
Yang Ling slapped his thigh and said, "Good, I have an idea. Which Grand Scholar will be on duty tomorrow?" This Gu Daeyong was indeed an inquisitive person. He had memorized the timetable and teachers that Jameson Province had arranged for the Crown Prince by heart. Without hesitation, he said, "Tomorrow, it should be Grand Secretary Li of Li Dongyang who will teach."
Yang Ling chuckled and whispered something into Zhu Houzhao's ear. Zhu Houzhao listened and said, half believing and half doubting, "This … will this method really work?"
Yang Ling smiled and said, "If this plan is ingenious, Master Marquis Of Shouning can only lose his army to protect his general. At that time, first, Your Highness will not have to break your promise. Second, that Yan Kuan has been rude to the Crown Prince. You can punish him so that he will never be able to rise again. Third, you can also win the admiration of the Grand Tutors for Your Highness."
"Oh?" Hearing this, Zhu Houzhao could not help but become spirited. He said, "While it is still early, quickly go and do it. You must prepare everything before Grand Tutor Li arrives tomorrow."
"Yes, this official will obey!" Yang Ling smiled and bowed. He nodded slightly to the Eight Tigers and left in a flash.
※ ※ ※
The next morning, the sun had not risen. A carriage drove to a corner outside the Meridian Gate. Yang Ling, who was waiting by the side of the gate, flashed into the carriage. Qian Ning sat upright in the carriage and handed over a thick package of oiled paper. He said with a smile, "Yesterday, I received an order from Mr Yang. I have been busy all night and have finally obtained something. Fortunately, I did not disappoint you. Haha, this is what His Excellency needs. Can you see if it is useful?"
Yang Ling said a few polite words and sat side by side with him in the carriage. He opened the oiled paper package and took out a thick stack of papers. He lifted the curtain of the carriage and hurriedly looked at it for a while. He could not help but be speechless. "Brother Qian, I only asked you to collect information about Marquis Of Shouning's collusion with officials and businessmen, private construction projects, and his embezzlement of the people's interests. If it is really not enough, then you can casually make up some small mistakes to add weight. But the material you made up even has a murder case. If His Majesty really investigates, then wouldn't you be lifting a rock to smash your own feet?"
Qian Ning said with a smile, "I would like to make up some right and wrong, but unfortunately I have been busy all night. Just the real cases alone are more than these. I have no time to make up Marquis Zhang's fault. There are witnesses and material evidence in these files. Some of them are even registered in the yamen by the victims' families. It is just that no one dares to deal with them. You can see what is useful and take it. Don't worry, these materials are all copied by me. They are not official documents of the Imperial Bodyguard. They will not lead the fire to us. "
Yang Ling said in shock, "These are all true?"
Qian Ning nodded and said, "They are all true!" He smiled faintly and said proudly, "No matter who it is, as long as the Imperial Bodyguard wants to deal with him, there is no secret that can be hidden from us. But … Marquis Of Shouning has a big tree to rely on in the palace. These things may not be able to topple him. Your Excellency must not be careless. Don't get yourself into trouble."
Yang Ling nodded and said, "Brother Qian, don't worry. There will be others who will take the lead in this matter. Haha, I have to hurry to the palace. I have troubled Brother Qian this time. I will report this to His Highness."
Qian Ning's face was overflowing with joy. He hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "We are brothers, there is no need to be so formal. There are many courtiers at the Meridian Gate, it is not convenient for me to show myself. I will respectfully send Mr Yang off. I wish you success and success!"
* * *
"The Son of Confucius said: Ruler, Ruler, Minister, Father, Father, Son. That is to say, a ruler must conform to the way of a ruler, a minister must conform to the way of a minister, a father must conform to the way of a father, and a son must conform to the way of a son. "Li Dongyang said and looked at the Crown Prince with a gratified expression. Today the Crown Prince was very alert. He sat behind the table and seemed to be listening attentively. This made Li Dongyang feel very comforted.
He smiled and said, "A human ruler rewards those who love and punishes those who do evil. A wise ruler is different. Rewards must be added to those who have made contributions, and punishment must be compared to those who have sinned. A good ruler strengthens his authority internally and values his power externally. In this way, no one will dare to disobey when they conquer the country. "
He picked up a cup of tea and moistened his throat. He was about to explain in detail when he heard the Crown Prince say, "Grand Tutor, a wise ruler must be fair in rewards and punishments. But if the sinner is a close minister or even a relative of the Emperor, can he be lenient?"
Li Dongyang said sternly, "No. If a prince breaks the law, he will be punished the same as a commoner. The ruler is not the head of a family, but the ruler of a country. The ruler, from top to bottom, is his people. How can there be a distinction between far and near? A wise ruler and a virtuous minister is the good fortune of the world. A wise ruler and a loyal minister is the good fortune of the country. If he indulges his close minister to commit evil, it is not the good fortune of the country. "
Yang Ling coughed, and Zhu Houzhao took out a paper bag from under the table. He let out a long sigh and said, "Grand Tutor is right. Today, when Assistant Scholar Yang entered the palace, he found a bag outside the palace gates. The contents of the bag were evidence of Imperial Uncle Zhang Heling condoning his family and harming his neighbors. Every piece of evidence, every piece of evidence, was shocking. Ay! After I saw it, I thought that Zhang Heling is my maternal uncle, so I wanted to keep this matter under wraps. But after listening to Grand Tutor's teaching, I am deeply ashamed. If I hide it and do not speak, I will be letting down the Sage's words. "
Li Dongyang listened and was shocked. "What kind of evidence?" He asked. "Crown Prince, can you let me take a look?"
Zhu Houzhao handed over the paper bag. Shaking his head, he said with shame, "On one side is my maternal uncle. On the other side are the common people who have been bullied and humiliated. Although I do not have the heart to report this to Imperial Father and harm the harmony of my family, after listening to Grand Tutor's teaching, I really cannot ignore it."
Li Dongyang hurriedly flipped through the pile of evidence against Marquis Of Shouning and Zhang Heling. After a few glances, he was unable to control his anger. With an angry expression on his face, he said, "Princes and nobles' relatives, invading the common people's wealth without any scruples. Your Highness need not feel guilty. You have done very well. A ruler is a boat; a commoner is a water. Heaven gave birth to the people, not for the ruler. Heaven established the ruler for the people. Your Highness can care for the people, it is the country's good fortune. "
He looked at Yang Ling again and said meaningfully, "Marquis Of Shouning's conduct has caused the common people to complain. But they have no way to complain. That is why someone has no choice but to do this. Your Highness, please ask Yang to accompany Your Highness to review your studies. I will leave for a while to investigate. If it is true, I will definitely report to His Majesty. "
Yang Ling's eyebrows jumped. Listening to the old man's words, he obviously did not believe the reason he picked up on the way to the palace. But this man hated evil as if it was his enemy. Knowing that he was being used, he was not willing to sit and watch. Since the case brought by Qian Ning was true, he was not afraid that he would investigate.
Li Dongyang took his leave. That day, Zhu Hou was much more well-behaved than usual. He only stayed in the Spring Square and talked with Yang Ling. He did not dare to play around anymore. Li Dongyang hurried back to the Hall of Self-Respect and immediately ordered the yamen to investigate and report. Many of these cases were registered in the yamen. It was just that they had been delayed and refused to be dealt with. Naturally, it was easy to investigate. In just over two hours, they had verified seventy to eighty percent of the cases. Li Dongyang listened to those heinous crimes and could not help but fly into a rage. He immediately picked up his brush and wrote tens of thousands of words. Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he went straight to the afternoon court.
In the Eastern Palace, Zhu Hou listened to Yang Ling talk about the customs of various countries. It was an eye-opener. Just as he was listening with great interest, outside, Gu Daeyong suddenly screamed, "Aiyo, Your Highnesses, why have you two come to the Eastern Palace?"
He heard the delicate voice of a young girl say, "Where is the Crown Prince? Quickly take me to see him. "
Gu Daeyong stammered, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince is reviewing his lessons. You see …"
The other pure voice of a young girl said, "Hmph, are you playing with the Crown Prince's brother again? Sister, we'll go in ourselves. "
Zhu Hou made an "ah" sound and said, "Yongfu and Yongchun are here. Go hide behind the screen. There are many rules in the Palace. You can't see them casually."
Yang Ling heard this and quickly got up to hide behind the screen behind the mahogany antique shelf. He heard Zhu Hou call out, "Great use, invite the two princesses in."
Then, a young girl's voice giggled, "Strange, strange. Imperial Brother is actually sitting here today. He did not do any cat and dog tricks. Could it be that he has changed?"
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