King Donghai knew very well that his identity was too sensitive, and he could not take revenge directly. He could only kill with a knife, so he observed secretly and looked for potential enemies of the Empress Dowager Shangguan.
Jing Yao was one, but his influence on the emperor was too weak, and after a complaint was filed, there was no further follow-up, which greatly disappointed the King of the East Sea.
Mrs. Ping'en Hou is half, but at most she can spread gossip and subtly wipe out Empress Dowager Cining's goodwill towards Empress Dowager Shangguan. So far, she has not succeeded.
The King of the East Sea must find a more capable helper.
He has been watching the emperor's various practices with a cold eye, speculating on who will rise and who will decline, in preparation for future needs.
Han Ruzi was well aware of this, and after thinking for a long time, he felt that only the King of the East Sea could see the leaker's flaws.
The people around the emperor were all cautious when they saw the car, and only when they left the emperor's sight would they reveal some of their true colors.
"I still have to say something first. I'm really just guessing. It may not be accurate at all. Your Majesty must check it out before making a conclusion." The King of the East Sea was much more cautious than before, and he didn't dare to accuse others in front of the emperor.
Han Ruzi nodded, but the King of the East Sea still refused to speak. He walked to the table, pulled up his cuff, and wrote a name on the table with his right index finger.
"Where's the evidence?" Han Ruzi was not surprised by the name.
The East Sea King wrote another name.
Han Ruzi frowned slightly, "How can these two be connected?"
The King of the East Sea smiled and said: "Your Majesty may not know, these two are fiercely fighting for favor, and they never show it before His Majesty, but they often make bets in private. I occasionally hear a sentence or two, and the content of their bet is to see who is better at figuring out His Majesty. mind."
"Is he so smart?" Han Ruzi was very puzzled.
The East Sea King took two steps back, "It may not be him who is smart."
Han Ruzi woke up and said, "I will investigate clearly, you should step back. Don't meddle in the affairs of the palace. You are staring at me, and there are people staring at you."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The King of the East Sea retreated to the door, he couldn't help it, and said again, "Sidi was definitely not poisoned by my mother, if she has this concern, she should be well prepared, and she will never A moment of panic caused me to be taken into the palace by Jing Yao unprepared."
Han Ruzi nodded, indicating that he understood what the King of the East Sea meant, but he did not necessarily agree.
"If this matter is not investigated, there will never be peace in the palace." King Donghai wanted to persuade, but the emperor waved his hand, and King Donghai had to withdraw from the tent.
Han Ruzi also had doubts about Si Di's death, but now he couldn't investigate it, it would arouse a lot of suspicion and destroy the stability of the palace that had been restored with great difficulty.
We can only wait for this matter to wait until the court is stabilized.
After meeting the King of the East Sea, Han Ruzi continued as usual, reading the memorials, summoning advisors, and was busy. The reply from the capital had not yet arrived, but some local officials had already sent the memorials, expressing very euphemistically that the situation of local private servants was not a problem. Seriously, it is mostly done by some wealthy businessmen, and measures are about to be taken to strike.
Officials are protecting powerful families, and they are also protecting themselves. If the emperor’s thunder is heavy and the rain is small, and he can’t make a ruthless attack in the end, then the officials who are too active at first will be retaliation.
Punishing the Yan family of the East China Sea shocked the world, but it was not enough to show the emperor's determination.
Han Ruzi therefore needed Nan Zhijin. This old official was sometimes more effective than the imperial decree. He could convince the ministers that the emperor really wanted to fight against the water. In this way, many battles would be reduced, and the "defiant against the water" would be unnecessary.
Seeing that it was getting late, Han Ruzi ended the day's affairs, all the advisors retired, and several eunuchs packed their tents.
Zhang Youcai asked, "Your Majesty is eating here, or do you want to go back to the bed and eat with Concubine Shu?"
"right here."
Zhang Youcai arranged it immediately, and soon, the tent became orderly, and the food was delivered. It was very simple. A bowl of rice and four dishes were brought here from the kitchen. After many inspections, it was a little cold.
Han Ruzi finished eating quickly, Zhang Youcai came over to clean up the dishes in person, Han Ruzi said, "Let someone else do it."
Zhang Youcai stepped aside and signaled the two eunuchs at the door to come over and take away the bowls and chopsticks.
There were only two people left in the tent. Zhang Youcai looked around to see if there were any omissions, while Han Ruzi stared at Zhang Youcai.
Zhang Youcai finally noticed the emperor's gaze, and said blankly, "Your Majesty... What are your orders?"
"Can't you guess?" Han Ruzi asked.
Zhang Youcai scratched his head, "I can't guess, Your Majesty, please remind me, do you want something, or do you want to see someone?"
"I heard that you often bet with people recently?"
"Betting? I didn't... Oh, I mean, Cui Teng, who is chewing his tongue in front of His Majesty? We are not betting at all, there is no bet, how can it be called a bet?" Zhang Youcai was angry.
Han Ruzi smiled and said, "Okay, it's not a bet, but there are winners and losers. Tell me, do you lose more or win more?"
Zhang Youcai couldn't hold back and grinned, "Out of ten times, I can win seven times, Cui Teng won three times, and at least once is by cheating."
"Why are you two playing... this game?"
Zhang Youcai put away his smile and said nervously, "Your Majesty, did I do anything wrong? I will never win or lose with Cui Teng again."
"It's okay, I'm just curious." Han Ruzi didn't want to scare Zhang Youcai, and tried his best to soften his tone and expression.
Zhang Youcai still noticed something, and his face changed slightly, "Actually... it's nothing, Cui Teng said that I... said that I was out of favor, and that I was just a eunuch. Who can serve Your Majesty better than me? When Your Majesty frowns, I know what His Majesty is thinking..."
Zhang Youcai's voice became lower and he raised his voice again, "I know it's wrong to talk nonsense, but that's Cui Teng, who shows his face in front of His Majesty every day. His Majesty trusts him the most.
"No, Cui Teng doesn't have the guts, nor the smarts."
Zhang Youcai finally smiled, "But it's not right for me to talk nonsense. From now on, I will only concentrate on serving the emperor and not play with others."
"It's okay, it's okay to play, when did it start?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, it's been more than a year, and it may be almost two years." Zhang Youcai agreed, but he decided in his heart that he would never "bet" with Cui Teng again.
"When Cui Teng talks about you again in the future, tell him that the emperor is willing to entrust you with his only prince. Is this still called falling out of favor?"
Zhang Youcai smiled brightly, "Yeah, why didn't I think of it?"
"Because you and Concubine Hui are both 'hard workers', when you go to serve her, you don't think you are helping me, but Concubine Hui, right?"
"Your Majesty's guess on my mind is much more accurate than my guess on His Majesty's mind."
Han Ruzi smiled, "There are so many 'hard workers', I will only send you one to serve Concubine Hui, this is trust."
"I see, Your Majesty, I won't think about it any more."
"Well, step back and call Nan Zhijin. If there is nothing important, I won't see anyone else today."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhang Youcai stepped back, his steps were much easier.
Han Ruzi would rather believe that Zhang Youcai was just an unintentional mistake. Within ten steps, he was the only eunuch left, and he really didn't want to drive him away.
Nan Zhijin arrived soon, with a respectful expression, but also calm and composed, obviously not believing that the emperor could really find the person who leaked the secret.
Han Ruzi didn't say anything about the leak first, but pointed to the collected memorials and said, "The officials from several nearby counties and counties made the memorials, but they refused to admit that the situation of private slavery was serious, as if all the problems were unique to the East China Sea. "
"These memorials should be sent to the capital first, and then transferred to Your Majesty." Nan Zhijin only cared about "rules".
"They are all copies, they were originally sent to the capital." Han Ruzi did not completely break the rules.
"Your Majesty has a heart, then it's nothing." Nan Zhijin still refused to offer advice.
Han Ruzi was silent for a while and said, "You haven't contacted the leaker for a long time, have you?"
Nan Zhijin refused to answer.
"You said there was only one leaker, but I think there is more than one."
"There is really only one, Your Majesty thinks too much, and this person only provides reference. Wei Chen guesses the holy will, and mainly relies on the reply. Each emperor's reply has its own characteristics. After finding out, you can guess many things. , unless... alas."
Nan Zhijin didn't guess that the emperor would start from the privately owned slaves, and was caught off guard, and he still broods.
In fact, this was an accident. Han Ruzi only learned about this kind of thing during his hunting tour. Naturally, he couldn't reveal his intention in the reply, "What are the characteristics of Zhen?"
"It's not important anymore, Wei Chen knows the crime of death and has nothing else to think about."
"We're still making a bet."
"The minister does not gamble with the lord, but the minister admits defeat."
Admitting defeat, but refusing to help, Nan Zhijin refused to admit defeat in another way.
"No, I just think it's interesting." Han Ruzi gave a heavy hum and said a name: "Cui Hong."
Nan Zhijin lowered his head, his voice did not change, "Is Your Majesty guessing or asking?"
"Don't guess, don't ask, it's obvious, the queen did not give birth to a prince, but Mrs. Cui willingly handed over the southern army, it must be because of other reasons."
"After Mrs. Cui was assassinated, she was in poor health, probably because she really wanted to retire."
"It's possible, but I have evidence."
Nan Zhijin raised his head and glanced, "Oh?"
"Cui Teng has been betting with Zhang Youcai, the little eunuch beside me, to see who is better at guessing my thoughts."
"Second son Cui has always been known for his mischief. This move doesn't explain anything."
"The flaw is here. Cui Teng is known for his nonsense, and he has never been persistent. The bet with Zhang Youcai has been going on for a long time. He does not have such perseverance."
"People don't look good."
"Of course, that's why I called Cui Teng over and asked. Cui Teng is a fool. Like Zhang Youcai, he doesn't know what he is doing, but he must have been encouraged by his father. As long as I ask, he will say anything. come out."
Nan Zhijin was silent again.
"As long as I call Cui Teng, I don't want to ask casually. We must investigate to the end. Cui Hong is responsible for this, and none of the officials who rely on the Cui family for appointment can be kept." Han Ruzi paused, "Queen It will not be affected, but she has nothing to do with the Cui family from now on."
Nan Zhijin raised his head, "Your Majesty is wise and martial, why not use it in the world, and have to fight against the courtiers?"
"The court is me. Every word and deed of the officials in the court will be counted by the people in the end. If I want to rule the world, I must first rule the court. Nan Zhijin, if you want to kill yourself, I will not give you this opportunity. You have two ways to go. One is to continue to be the censor and continue to try to figure out what I have in mind. Let's have a contest to see if you can guess correctly or whether I can hide it. The other is to help me and let me Ministers understand that it is time for them to step aside."
Nan Zhijin stared at the emperor for a long time, and said: "Does your majesty know why ministers are often false and condescending, and do not want to sincerely help your majesty?"
"Why?"
"Because Your Majesty's thoughts are not long-term, this is not His Majesty's fault, all emperors are like this, but once the rules of the court are established, it is a matter of decades or hundreds of years. , Your changeable majesty?"
"My heart will not change, agriculture is the foundation, and the prosperity of Chu must be the first to promote agriculture, and I will never let go of those who own slaves privately."
Nan Zhijin bowed to the ground, "Okay, please start with yourself, Your Majesty."