Uncle from a poor family - Chapter 732: A translation

Regardless of success or failure, at least Huai En must be informed. If someone else has to take the blame later, it can be pushed onto Huai En.

This is all done according to your instructions. You can't treat me like you did to Qin Chang. When something goes wrong, you just push me away and don't care whether I live or die!After hearing this, Huai En sighed and said, "How could you say that to Zhu Ji?"

"no way."

Li Rong complained, "It wasn't you, Eunuch Huai, who said it yourself. It must be Zhang Guozhang who took credit for someone else's work. If he wasn't forced, with Zhu Ji's double-faced character, how could he have devoted himself to the investigation?"

Li Rong thought, from what you said, we have done something bad, and we have to put the blame on Zhu Ji for not doing good things before and now he is suffering the consequences?

"But you think..."

Wynn added, "Can this person really be found?"

Li Rong hurriedly said, "Eunuch Huai, please stop laughing. There must be something, right?"

"Ming's current firearms are basically just old ones. Many of them are out of repair. If they are really used on the battlefield, they may not be able to fire shells."

Li Rong asked in surprise: "Is there such a thing?"

"Have no idea."

Huai En sighed, "During the late queen's early years, she didn't care about these things at all, especially after Wang Zhi was exiled, no one cared about them anymore.

Li Rong looked embarrassed.

I thought, then why did you make a conclusion so early in front of the emperor?At least wait and investigate before making any move.

Now I've been screwed by you.

It's like being tied to you and suffering together with you.

Huai En suddenly changed the subject and said, "Do you know how much money Li Zisheng has embezzled in the past few years?"

Li Rong was stunned. What does this have to do with anything?Why did you suddenly bring up this topic?"Probably... it should be several tens of thousands of taels, right?"

Li Rong casually reported a number, then looked at Huai En curiously.

"It must be at least one million taels."

"hiss--"

Li Rong took a deep breath and asked, "You mean... to use this to make a fuss? Say that Li Zisheng is a corrupt official? You should have evidence to prove it, right?"

Huai En nodded and said, "How can there be no evidence for selling official positions and titles? Just find the relevant people and ask them in detail. Isn't it enough? There is no evidence for this kind of thing."

Li Rong said quickly: "Hasn't this matter been investigated once? At that time, His Majesty also imprisoned Li Zisheng, which was considered a punishment for him! Now..."

Huai En said, "And the gold, silver and jewelry he handed over to the late emperor were also groundless... We are not going to punish him now, or rather, it doesn't matter whether he is guilty or not."

"That is……?"

Li Rong was a little confused.

If you don't want to punish Li Zisheng, then why do you mention his corruption and abuse of power?Huai En smiled slightly and said, "Now we need him to return the stolen money."

Li Rong felt shocked instantly.

Return the stolen goods...

If Li Zisheng were to take out one million taels of silver at one time, it would be really exciting.

"Eunuch Huai, if Li Zisheng throws dirty water on the late emperor...please forgive my offensive words, what should we do then?"

"Let him do it if he dares."

Huai En smiled and said, "Even if everyone in the world knows that it was the late emperor who asked him to sell official positions and titles, and he himself did not take much, he still has to take the blame. Humph, he has to take the blame, otherwise, he will show his disloyalty, unfilial piety, and unrighteousness in front of Your Majesty and his subjects."

"Yes Yes."

Li Rong nodded, subconsciously thinking that although this was a dirty trick, it seemed very effective.

Huai En said: "It has to be this way. Otherwise, when he returns to the court, I'm afraid even Zhang Laizhan won't be able to suppress him!"

……

……

Inside Qingning Palace.

Zhu Youtang explained: "Although my father-in-law did not show up, Yanling made efforts... This time it was all arranged by Yanling behind the scenes, and it was very appropriate."

Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "I didn't mean what I said literally. Think about it."

This put Zhu Houzhao in a very difficult position.

You are such a dishonest old lady!

"Qin Ji, tell the emperor what exactly this means?"

Queen Mother Zhou looked at Tan Ji who was standing beside her.

Qin Ji originally wanted to stay at home to avoid Huai En, but was summoned by the Emperor to accompany him to see the Empress Dowager early in the morning. Now that she was called by name, she had no choice but to say, "Grand Empress Dowager, I dare not speak nonsense."

"If you are asked to say it, just say it."

Tan Ji felt troubled.

I thought to myself, you are just playing a riddle, why do you have to let others guess?

Or is there some special purpose behind this that I don't understand?I'm also stupid.

Zhu Youtang said, "My dear, the Empress Dowager asked you to speak, so just speak. I believe the Empress Dowager will not blame you if you say something wrong."

Qin Ji then slowly said, "I think what the Empress Dowager meant... is that Zhang Guozhang is still recuperating at home and hasn't done much, but he just used a military inspection to suppress those voices of doubt and criticism... How strong must he be?"

"Look, I said that Tan Ji likes to pretend to be confused, but in fact his mind is as clear as a mirror, right?"

Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "That's exactly what I meant."

Zhu Youtang said with relief: "Grandmother, in fact, my father-in-law is good at being fair in doing things, and not many people in the court doubt him..."

Or are you trying to save face for me in front of His Majesty?

Queen Mother Zhou said, "My grandson, we are all our own people here, and I have spoken frankly. As an emperor, you must have your own people in the court to speak for you."

Zhu Youtang said: "All the ministers in the court and the gentlemen in the East Palace have helped me a lot."

"That's not the kind of connections I'm talking about."

Zhu Youtang was confused again.

Empress Dowager Zhou smiled and pointed at Qin Ji, meaning, come, it's your turn.

Qin Ji didn't dare to say anything now.

Zhu Youtang asked: "My dear, can you understand?"

"Correct."

Queen Mother Zhou took over the conversation again, "What I mean is that you have to distinguish between close and distant relatives in the court. I have repeatedly emphasized that it is good to use wise ministers, but at most they can help you govern the country. But if the wise minister is your father-in-law and is only dedicated to helping you, then you are lucky... He will spare no effort in helping you. If he has some grudges with other people in the court and has to use you to do things, then it is even better."

"Grandmother, what did you say?"

Zhu Youtang asked.

"No."

Zhu Youtang hurried to explain.

Queen Mother Zhou said: "This is a method of controlling ministers. As an emperor, you must learn it. Whether it is your father-in-law, your teacher in the East Palace, or the subjects of the world, they are all helping you.

"You have to know how to make trade-offs. There are problems with who to use and who not to use, and how to use them. Only by coordinating all aspects can you ensure that they can...play against each other, but still be used by you."

Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "You are a good child, but you may not be a good emperor."

"The Imperial Grandmother is right."

Whether Zhu Youtang agreed or not, he did not dare to disobey Queen Dowager Zhou.

Queen Mother Zhou said: "Just like your father, when he used Liang Fang and Wan An to do things, didn't he know that they were criticized in the court and were not virtuous? But the problem is that they are really loyal to your father. It's just that the way they do things... I really can't praise them. They are not quite the same as your father-in-law."

"Because your father used Liang Fang and others just like you used your father-in-law. They both appointed people they fully trusted to do things that others would only stick to principles but not help you wholeheartedly."

Queen Mother Zhou said, "Let me ask you, if something is wrong in itself, or contrary to Confucian principles, do you think your gentlemen in the East Palace will stand by you completely? For example, when you wanted to use troops in the northwest before, who fully supported you?"

Zhu Youtang said: "It's my father-in-law."

"Isn't that what it is?"

"Besides, your father-in-law has a brother-in-law, haha. I think Yanling is a good kid. It's just that he doesn't come here often. Let him come to the palace more often in the future. I want to talk to him."

"Yes."

Zhu Youtang thought to himself, my brother-in-law is my brother-in-law, why are you looking for him?Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "Your father-in-law and I get along very well. His children are also my own children and nephews, and I should support them. Also, when are you going to grant your father-in-law a title?"

Zhu Youtang said: "It's already been prepared. I'm going to confer the title of Earl of Shouning on him."

Queen Mother Zhou nodded and said, "That should be done soon. But... since you are my father-in-law, should I only give you the title of Earl? Shouldn't I directly make you a Marquis? Even my disappointing brother is still the Marquis of Qingyun."

Zhu Youtang said hurriedly: "It was initially drafted by Huai Daban and the people in the Hanlin Academy."

"cut."

Queen Mother Zhou waved her hands and said, "Huai En looks upright, but he is actually very treacherous. What's wrong with giving him a marquisate? He is the father-in-law of the emperor and the father of the Empress of the Ming Dynasty. He was highly regarded by your father and served as the Minister of the Six Ministries. Now he has done so many things for the court and even has military merits, but he is still only a Minister. I don't say anything, so what if you give him a duke?"

Zhu Youtang was shocked.

I thought to myself, Grandmother, are you serious or are you testing me?

A relative by marriage was directly conferred the title of Duke?

Wouldn't everyone in the court be spitting at my father-in-law?

Qin Ji felt so miserable.

Faced with the aggressive attitude of Empress Dowager Zhou, he could only continue: "Your Majesty, I think the Empress Dowager meant to let Zhang Guozhang help you bear some...pressure. If he is a marquis, it may be more worthy of Zhang Guozhang's previous contributions."

Zhu Youtang said, "Grandmother, my father-in-law has already suffered enough criticism, why should he endure more?"

"Hey, kid, who just told me that your father-in-law has no one to slander him? I put some pressure on you, and you told me everything?"

……

……

Coming out of Qingning Palace, Zhu Youtang looked very conflicted.

He looked at Tan Ji and asked with a bitter face, "My dear, do you really want to listen to the Imperial Grandmother?"

"So after conferring the title on my father-in-law, do we also have to arrange for him to work in the Five Military Commandery?"

Zhu Youtang said, "I think he is actually very suitable for the post of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and the court needs him right now. Moreover, I really want him to join the cabinet, after all, this matter has been delayed for some time."

Qin Ji suddenly thought of something and said in surprise: "It's very strange that the Empress Dowager didn't mention Zhang Guozhang's joining the cabinet this time."

"correct."

Qin Ji thought, why do you always ask me?

My political awareness is not that high. If I ask that eunuch Huai, will the answer I get be more professional and authoritative?Tan Ji said cautiously: "It could also be that... the Empress Dowager feels that Zhang Guozhang is more accomplished in military affairs and is suitable for the post of the Five Military Commander's Office?"

"That makes sense."

Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "My father-in-law didn't show up for this military parade, and Yanling just made arrangements in advance and made everything go smoothly. Coupled with the previous victory report from Pianguan, it is enough to prove that my father-in-law has this ability.

Qin Ji thought, even Huai En has selfish motives, how do you know that your royal grandmother doesn’t have any?

There are some things that seem to go either way, but when it comes to personal planning, the choices are completely different.

Sometimes principles can be changed.

Zhu Youtang asked, "My dear, have you talked to Huai Daban about your father-in-law?"

Tan Ji said, "Today, I went to the palace and visited the Imperial Household Department. I learned that Eunuch Huai had not been to the palace for the past two days because he was recuperating from illness, so I did not run into him."

When one claims to be sick and cannot go out, the other one comes out to take charge of the situation.

Even Qin Ji himself did not expect such tacit understanding.

Zhu Youtang said: "It's time to let Huai Daiban go... His illness has reached the point where he must rest. Send someone to convey an imperial decree to him, allowing him to rest at home and not have to come to the palace again. By the way, give him some titles, the specific amount will be determined by you according to the convention, and double the amount..."

Tan Ji quickly accepted the order.

"You should also visit my father-in-law these two days. I haven't seen him for a long time and I miss him a lot." Zhu Youtang said, "I want to hear his own opinion on the matter of bestowing titles and official positions. If he refuses to speak, ask Yanling. My father-in-law will definitely want to avoid it, but Yanling won't!"

(End of this chapter)