The First Lackey Under The Empress

Reporting… Reporting again…

In the courtyard, the summer sun blazed. Inside the main hall, Yuan Li suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu.

In a daze, he recalled that last time, the night Zhao Du'an came to report.

He had just given a lengthy speech, advising the other party not to rush, saying that Zhou Cheng's weaknesses were not easy to catch, and now he was saying he had found them… Yuan Li's heart skipped a beat, and he put on a stern face, frowning slightly:

"Wantonly killing important officials of the court, violating laws and regulations, do you know what you are saying?"

Having been in a high position for a long time, Yuan Li had seen too many subordinates exaggerate their reports.

Although Zhao Du'an was capable, he was still young. Perhaps he had indeed caught some clues, but the words "wantonly killing important officials" were not to be used casually.

Therefore, this sentence carried a hint of warning.

Zhao Du'an said with a troubled expression:

"The reason why this subordinate was silent just now was because I was wondering whether the evidence I found could be considered a 'small matter' that Yuan Gong said would not be pursued. After all, it only involves the deaths of a mere Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, an Imperial Censor, and a dozen or so implicated officials."

When Yuan Li heard the first half of his sentence, his body relaxed slightly, thinking that it was indeed not a big deal.

But when he heard the second half, this great figure who held sway over half the imperial court suddenly raised his head, the teacup in his hand tilted, and he didn't even care about the tea spilling out.

A mere…?

The deaths of a dozen officials?

He was stunned for a moment, suspecting that he had misheard.

When he saw Zhao Du'an's determined and confident expression, his breathing tightened.

At this moment, even with his composure, he could hardly restrain the slight surprise that appeared on his face, but he quickly composed himself and said in a deep voice:

"Explain clearly!"

"Yes!" Zhao Du'an stopped being glib.

He immediately recounted in detail how his colleagues discovered the missing files, and how he found Xue Lin's descendants and learned the truth of the old case.

Yuan Li listened quietly, without interrupting.

After he finished speaking, the current Grand Censor sat up straight, his eyes sharp:

"Can you trust what the descendants said?"

Zhao Du'an said decisively: "This subordinate believes that there must be something fishy about this matter."

Yuan Li stood up and paced slowly in the hall, as if thinking. After a moment, he sighed:

"I heard about Xue Lin back in the day. Although I had no chance to deal with him, I knew his reputation. Later, when I heard that he was imprisoned, I felt pity. As for the eunuch Wang Zhen… Humph."

He snorted coldly, his evaluation of him was self-evident, and he was quite disdainful.

Zhao Du'an also got up early and blinked:

"Since Yuan Gong has also heard of this matter, haven't you investigated it?"

Yuan Li glanced at him and said angrily:

"Thirteen years ago, I was still an official in another place. By the time I returned to the capital, several years had already passed."

So that's how it was.

Yuan Li had no friendship with Xue Lin, and so many years had passed. How bored would he have to be to delve into the old case of that year?

If Hai Tang hadn't investigated it to make a contribution, and if the Empress hadn't issued an order, this old case would have been sealed in the dark archives, until it was forgotten.

Zhao Du'an said respectfully:

"This subordinate is investigating here, and I have discovered that if I want to find the erased clues, it is really difficult for me alone.

Especially when it comes to opening up the joints of various yamen, it is impossible without the head of the Zhao Yamen. Therefore, I boldly came to the door, wanting to ask Yuan Gong to lend a hand."

Yuan Li was not surprised, and after a moment of silence, he said:

"Give me a reason. A reason to help you."

An old case from the "previous dynasty" was judged by the former Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and the late Emperor made the final decision.

Even if it was wrong, Yuan Li had no reason to make a big fuss about it.

Zhao Du'an did not hesitate and said:

"As far as this subordinate knows, Zhou Cheng and Li Yanfu are very close. He is in charge of one of the Three Laws Division, and many things handled by the Censorate must also be restrained by him."

Just like in the past, Xue Lin could repeatedly reject the cases reviewed by the Censorate, today's Zhou Cheng also has a restraining effect on Yuan Li.

The implication of Zhao Du'an's words was that Zhou Cheng was also Yuan Li's enemy, and if he could be replaced, it would be of great benefit to the Censorate.

Yuan Li stared at him condescendingly and asked with a squint:

"Is that all?"

Zhao Du'an lowered his eyes and nodded: "That's all."

The hall was quiet for a while.

Immediately, Yuan Qingyi, who had just had a dignified appearance, suddenly smiled, and the sharpness in his eyes also turned into appreciation.

He stepped forward, sat back in his chair, and said softly:

"I thought you would use the task that His Majesty gave you as a reason."

Zhao Du'an shook his head seriously:

"This is the task that His Majesty gave to this subordinate, not the task given to Yuan Gong."

According to the principle, since the Empress ordered Zhao Du'an to investigate, it was a "royal privilege", and he could completely order the Censorate to cooperate.

Otherwise, he could report to the Empress.

But the principle is just a "principle".

When Zhao Du'an left the school gate in his previous life, he also thought that "reason can travel all over the world", and he always had to argue about right and wrong.

After work, he realized that the rules of operation of this world have never been related to the word "reason".

The word "right and wrong" is only important to the parties involved, and outsiders have never cared about it.

Just like when he watched "Pegasus 2" in the cinema before time-traveling, Shen Teng said with tears that he didn't care about the ranking, but he wanted innocence.

But even the world in the movie doesn't care about these, only the result.

Of course, he could threaten Yuan Li to take action by suing the Empress, but that would make him a strong enemy and would be detrimental to solving the problem.

Therefore, even if Yuan Li asked, he never mentioned the word "Empress".

He only talked about the benefits that the Censorate would gain if Zhou Cheng was defeated.

Yuan Li listened, and the appreciation in his eyes grew stronger.

If Zhao Du'an borrowed the name of the Empress, then he would also give help.

With his mind, he would not hate Zhao Du'an because of this, and create a gap.

But… the judgment in his heart would inevitably be reduced by several levels, thinking that his future achievements would be limited.

If you don't know how to win over allies in the court, even if you gain power for a while, it will only be a flash in the pan.

"Very good," Yuan Li pondered for a moment, and said:

"Bringing down Zhou Cheng is indeed beneficial to me, but if the case isn't as you've investigated, or if we can't find enough evidence, the Censorate's involvement will cause a rift with the Court of Judicial Review.

At that time, the Censorate will bear the consequences of antagonizing Zhou Cheng."

The risks are indeed there, but if it succeeds, the benefits will be enormous… Zhao Du'an remained silent, waiting for what would come next.

Yuan Li pondered for a moment, then smiled and said:

"So, you have two choices before you.

First, I can provide all the help needed for this case, and even if the evidence is insufficient, this official can help you 'supplement' it. Any retaliation from Zhou Cheng as a result, this official can bear it all for you.

You can fully enjoy the fruits of success and complete the task assigned by His Majesty, but… if it succeeds, you can only take a small share of the credit."

The unspoken meaning:

Yuan Li also believes this is a good opportunity, and he is willing to take action against Zhou Cheng.

But the vast majority of the fruits of victory must go to the Censorate.

"What's the second choice?" Zhao Du'an asked.

Yuan Li slowly said:

"As for the second, I will also provide what you need to help you obtain it. But that's all, how you bring him down after that is still up to you, or the Imperial Court behind you.

You will bear all subsequent retaliations from Zhou Cheng alone, and this official will not shield you from the wind and rain…

But correspondingly, if it succeeds, you will get the majority of the credit, and the Censorate only needs a portion. You can think about it slowly and then give me an answer."

"No need to think," Zhao Du'an said without hesitation:

"This official chooses the second option. Please, Lord Yuan, grant my wish."

Yuan Li quietly scrutinized him, reminding him:

"You must think carefully. There's no turning back once the arrow is released. If you continue the investigation, even if you can hide it for a while, Zhou Cheng will find out sooner or later.

At that time, the full force of a third-rank official will not be easy to bear, even with Ma Yan protecting you.

Just like Pei Kai Zhi back then, if it weren't for this official being ahead, you would have been thrown into the Ministry of Justice's prison long ago.

Don't think that just because you're wearing brocade robes, those important officials in the court will be helpless against you."

Zhao Du'an's tone was sincere:

"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Yuan. This official is well aware that Pei Kai Zhi was brought down because the entire Censorate took action.

If it were just me alone, even if I had won over Lü Liang and alienated that father-in-law and son-in-law pair, it would have been useless, and I would have been crushed to death by Pei Kai Zhi when he realized it. But…"

He paused, pursed his lips, and slowly said:

"But… back then, I was just a powerless and insignificant envoy. Now, things are different.

Of course, I know that a mere Pear Blossom Hall Investigator is still like an ant compared to Zhou Cheng, a dignified Minister of the Nine… But…"

He suddenly laughed, his laughter somewhat unruly, somewhat fierce, and somewhat ambitious:

"But… I also want to be a chess player for once."

A chess player!

In the case of Pei Kai Zhi, although Zhao Du'an called himself a "chess player," he was ultimately just a pawn. Yuan Li was the one holding the chess pieces.

Only the chess player can devour the biggest piece of cake.

But this time, facing Zhou Cheng, this plump and rich cake, Zhao Du'an weighed the limited power and cards in his hand, and was a little eager to try.

If the court struggle is an endless card game, the Empress is the dealer dealing the cards.

Then this time, Zhao Du'an wants to stand on tiptoe and sit at the card table.

"Lord Yuan once taught me that if you want to achieve merit, instead of staring at small fish and shrimp, it's better to gamble on something big. I took that advice to heart," Zhao Du'an said.

Silence.

In the sweltering summer heat, the scorching sun in the courtyard seemed less bright and piercing than the sharpness in the young man's eyes.

Yuan Li quietly looked at him, the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes suddenly became more dense, as if he saw himself in his youth.

"Good," he suddenly laughed loudly, and then waved his loose sleeves:

"As you wish! This official will see this time whether you, a small Investigator, can bite an elephant to death."

Zhao Du'an respectfully saluted:

"Thank you, Lord Yuan, for granting my wish."

Yuan Li glanced at him:

"What do you want this official to help you investigate? Present it."

Zhao Du'an took out the last page of that dossier from his arms.

That is, that piece of paper with Zhou Cheng's seal and densely packed names on it, and handed it over with both hands.

"Please, Lord Yuan, help me collect the relevant documents from that case back then.

And where are those Court of Judicial Review officials who either held positions in the Censorate or the Ministry of Justice back then, participated in the trial of the case, or were implicated and imprisoned.

If they are dead, who are their direct descendants…

Although many files have been 'disappeared,' such a large case must have left many indelible traces.

What I want is to reassemble these pieces of evidence that have long been scattered, disrupted, and buried in the dust of the past.

To gather them into ironclad evidence sufficient to nail Zhou Cheng to the courtroom."

Yuan Li raised his hand to take it and glanced down.

Those densely packed clues, covering various government offices and even outside the capital, which gave Haitang and Zhang Han a headache.

In the eyes of this first-rank official, they seemed to be without any obstacles.

"Someone come."

Yuan Li summoned a person, who was the "Yuan family coachman" who was always by his side.

He repeated what Zhao Du'an needed, and finally said:

"Collect everything before tomorrow and send it to Pear Blossom Hall. Remember to be careful and don't alarm outsiders."

Decisive and domineering.

"As you command." The Yuan family coachman bowed and left without any hesitation.

Zhao Du'an was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly said: "Actually, there's no need to be so urgent…"

After all, there were so many names, involving many government offices and places.

Yuan Li only looked calm and said faintly: "One day is enough."

Zhao Du'an was fascinated.

The problem that stumped the three halls of the Imperial Court was solved with just one sentence from Yuan Li.