The First Lackey Under The Empress

"Wang Shan? Are you talking about Eunuch Wang's adopted son? When did he get involved with Zhao Du'an?"

He Zheng was stunned for a moment, recalling this person.

After the Xuanmen coup, Eunuch Wang died in the rebellion. After the new emperor ascended the throne, the court underwent a major reshuffle.

When Wang Zhen fell, his followers scattered. The network of power he had painstakingly woven in his lifetime collapsed in an instant.

This adopted son, Wang Shan, left his post voluntarily because he had lost his backing, and took over the 'inheritance' business left by his adoptive father.

He disappeared from the Great Yu court, but he was doing well in the circles of the powerful and wealthy.

The subordinate reported:

"After Zhao Du'an rose to prominence last year, he was led by Qin Qiu into the circle of noble sons in the capital.

On one occasion, he went to Wang's residence to visit Wang Shan. According to Qin Qiu's confession, Wang Shan hosted a banquet and invited Zhao Du'an to eat and drink. In order to befriend the Zhao family, he deliberately prepared a beautiful concubine.

After the banquet, Wang Shan personally led Zhao Du'an to see the concubine. Qin Qiu had no chance to enter, but only knew that Zhao Du'an came to him the next morning to leave Wang's residence. When he left, his face was pale and his steps were unsteady.

However, for some reason, he rarely interacted with Wang Shan afterwards."

"Oh?" He Zheng's eyes lit up, and he subconsciously stroked his beard, smiling:

"That's more like it. What friendship? Wang Shan was probably trying to get dirt on Zhao Du'an. In that case, Zhao Du'an slept with that concubine."

His tone was filled with excitement.

In this way, as long as he could get the evidence that Zhao Du'an slept with the woman from Wang Shan, he could complete the task assigned by Lord Tingwei.

"Sir, shall we arrest Wang Shan now?" the subordinate asked for instructions.

He Zheng shook his head: "Not appropriate."

As a trusted subordinate of Zhou Cheng, he knew that Zhou Cheng and Wang Shan had both worked under Eunuch Wang and had a close relationship.

Although people tend to forget favors when they are no longer needed, he should report to Zhou Cheng first for the sake of prudence.

"Throw Qin Qiu into the prison of the Dali Temple and don't let the news leak out."

The green-robed civil official was triumphant:

"Let's go back and see Lord Tingwei."

… …

"Wang Shan?"

East City, in the backyard of the Xue family's private school.

Zhang Han and Haitang didn't react much when they heard the name, but Zhao Du'an's pupils suddenly contracted.

In his mind, some sealed memories were touched, and chaotic images, like randomly edited movie shots, churned in his mind.

This name… sounds familiar… Wait, 'I' seems to have met him before, and even drank with him? The memory is so vague, it seems to be after 'I' gained power…

Zhao Du'an pressed his thumb against his brow, trying to extract useful information from the chaotic and fragmented memories.

In a daze, he seemed to see 'himself' walking out of the banquet hall with Wang Shan, their arms around each other's shoulders, reeking of alcohol, walking along the corridor.

Finally, they stopped outside a bedroom. Wang Shan opened the door with a smile, and then… he forgot.

"What's wrong?"

Haitang, with her melon-seed face and a tear mole at the corner of her eye, looked at him suspiciously, valiant and heroic.

"It's nothing, I just think the name sounds familiar." Zhao Du'an forced a smile, concealing his gaffe.

"It's normal to sound familiar. Although this person has retired from the court for several years, he still has some fame in the capital's纨绔 circles," Zhang Han said meaningfully.

So, 'I' used to hang out with him when 'I' was a纨绔 in the capital? A crony similar to Qin Qiu? No way… Zhao Du'an was a little embarrassed.

He could only sigh, the world is really small.

Haitang asked a few more small questions, and Xue Xuan answered them all, but as she said, she only knew these things.

After ordering Xue Xuan to wait outside, after closing the door, the "roll king" Zhang Han looked at the two colleagues:

"What do you think? Is what she said true or false?"

Haitang said:

"Not necessarily completely true, but the general idea must be true. Besides, she probably can't fabricate such a complicated case.

I think it's a very good breakthrough. As long as we can get more evidence, this case alone is enough to make Zhou Cheng doomed."

After speaking, the two looked at Zhao Du'an together, waiting for his "chief officer" to speak.

Zhao Du'an also agreed with their views and nodded slowly:

"It is indeed a good breakthrough."

Haitang was very excited and entered a state of reasoning:

"However, Xue Xuan's testimony alone is meaningless, and the relevant files have been lost. It's extremely difficult to overturn the case. Perhaps we can start with this Wang Shan."

Zhang Han shook his head, holding a different opinion:

"Wang Shan is the key person in this case, and he is indeed our target. But looking at the entire context of the case, even if Wang Shan tells the truth, Zhou Cheng can still claim that he handled the case impartially and was deceived by false testimony."

Haitang stroked her sharp chin, her face collapsing:

"That makes sense. So, the ones who can really identify him are still those lost files, physical evidence, or handlers of the case, but those things have already been erased by him."

Zhang Han shook his head and said:

"It's not necessarily erased. Think about it, this case was definitely not a small matter back then, involving many people, and even involving the Three Divisions and the Zhao Yamen.

Even if Zhou Cheng has a lot of power, it is almost impossible to make all the insiders and physical evidence 'disappear' without attracting the attention of the court."

Haitang's spirits lifted and she analyzed:

"That is to say, there must still be evidence, but the problem is, how to find it. Even if the remaining evidence is still there, I'm afraid it's in the Censorate or the Ministry of Justice, and they won't easily let us see it.

Those involved in the case back then are now either promoted or demoted, scattered in various yamen, and it's even more difficult to ask them."

The female constable stood up and paced in the hall.

A look of anxiety appeared on her beautiful face:

"Although we have the power to supervise all officials, if we want to order all major yamen, including the Three Law Divisions, to cooperate, I'm afraid even the Supervisor would not be able to do it. Moreover, that would inevitably cause a great commotion, wouldn't it be alarming the snake?"

Zhang Han also frowned and remained silent.

Dead end!

The two constables who are good at investigating cases realized that they had fallen into a dead end.

They seriously underestimated the difficulty of overturning a major case from thirteen years ago.

"Well, that is to say, as long as there is someone strong enough who can move freely between the yamen, retrieve the files, and make many people involved in the case speak, and can also cover up the noise, then it's okay, right?"

In the midst of the anxious atmosphere.

Zhao Du'an, who was leisurely drinking tea, not in a hurry, and looking like an onlooker, suddenly asked.

The two who were immersed in discussing the case, then remembered him and turned to look.

Haitang said angrily:

"Your tone, as if you think this is very simple, the whole court, the people who can do these things you said, will not exceed one hand, no, even less than that! Wait, you don't want to report to the Holy One, do you?"

Zhang Han also thought of this possibility, and was about to dissuade him. They had only just found a clue, and it was really inappropriate to alarm the Empress to make a big fuss.

What's more, the Empress's position is watched by countless eyes, and it is difficult to cover up the movement.

Zhao Du'an smiled, spit out a mouthful of inferior tea stems relaxedly, too lazy to explain, got up and said:

"Don't worry, this official is talking about someone else, it's not early, follow me."

The two were at a loss, and could only follow. When they walked out of the backyard, they saw Xue Xuan waiting quietly.

As they passed by, Zhao Du'an stopped in front of her and suddenly showed a bright smile:

"We will meet again."

Xue Xuan's heart trembled, and she did not dare to look at the notorious "Zhao Envoy," and lowered her head humbly.

"Miss, they're gone." After a while, Fu Bo walked over and said softly.

Xue Xuan then slowly raised her head, her eyes full of sadness.

"Miss, these people are inquiring about the events of that year, could it be that they want to overturn the case for the master?" Fu Bo suddenly asked.

Overturn the case? Xue Xuan shook her head and smiled miserably:

"Do you think that a despicable villain like Zhao Du'an would fight against a third-rank official for the sake of those wronged souls who have no value left?

Presumably, they just happened to be investigating something that involves this old case, and even if they know the truth, they will pretend not to know.

Overturn the case… I used to fantasize about it, but now I don't have that kind of dream anymore."

Fu Bo was speechless, remembering Zhao Du'an's notorious reputation, shook his head and sighed, picked up the flower basket on the ground, and went out to buy paper flowers and candles.

When walking out of the courtyard, the children's clear reading sound rang out again in the private school.

… …

… …

"Don't tell us that the helper you're looking for is Duke Yuan."

Outside the building of the Three Law Divisions, formerly known as the "Censorate" and later renamed the "Metropolitan Procuratorate."

On the street, Haitang clenched the reins, expressionless, looking at a certain Zhao person in the carriage with a lazy posture.

"Otherwise?"

Zhao Du'an yawned, got out of the car slowly, with a look of course:

"Zhou Cheng was in the Censorate when he judged this case, and most of the relevant files, physical evidence, and handlers are also in the Censorate. If the Censorate is willing to help with all its strength, it should be simpler and easier to collect the evidence of that year than us."

Haitang's little expression was full of incredulity, she opened her mouth, speechless for a moment.

Even Zhang Han's poker face had a strange look, and finally only squeezed out a sentence:

"That's Duke Yuan."

Yuan Li!

The leader of the Qingliu Party, whose power covers half of the court, and a big figure who rivals the Prime Minister Li Yanfu.

Haitang frowned and said:

"Do you want to use His Majesty's name to ask Duke Yuan to help you? I remind you, not everyone can be driven and threatened by you."

After a pause, her tone softened, trying to persuade:

"I've also heard that you used to work for Duke Yuan, but…"

She really wanted to say:

With our status, we are not worthy to ask to see him at all. The level difference between the two sides is too great, there is a gap.

Yes, in the case of Pei Kai, only a few people know about the private relationship between Zhao Du'an and Yuan Li.

In almost everyone's eyes, the only intersection between Zhao Du'an and Yuan Li was in the "Slay Pei" operation, where they were in the same camp.

That's all.

As for "friendship"? What is that?

Haitang and Zhang Han didn't even dare to imagine that the person Zhao Du'an was looking for was the current Grand Censor, a first-rank court official!

Even the coachman, Xiao Wang, although he didn't know the specific situation, was a little afraid when he looked at the gate of the Metropolitan Procuratorate:

"Sir, I'm afraid Duke Yuan won't see us…"

"…" Zhao Du'an was rendered speechless by the repeated pessimism of several people, not knowing whether to laugh or cry:

"Duke Yuan is not a flood or a beast, why are you so afraid? Forget it, if you don't want to go, then wait at the door."

Saying that, he jumped out of the carriage, patted his butt, left behind a few useless teammates, and walked straight to the towering two stone lions of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, stated his identity, and someone immediately went in to report.

After a while, a clerk ran out, said something, Zhao Du'an stepped forward and walked straight into the gate of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, disappearing from the sight of the three.