The First Lackey Under The Empress

Dark gold mask… Bronze mask… Could there be some connection between the two?

Zhao Du'an couldn't help but fall into deep thought. Although it was hard to imagine that a little-known gold-medal shadow guard would be connected to the "circle of friends" of the Great Yu Emperor Taizu.

But… the inheritance of cultivation was a real thing.

"If the armored female mage is indeed a master of some historical inheritance, then it is logical for the descendants of the same inheritance to retain similar characteristics and traditions."

Zhao Du'an stroked his chin, feeling a little restless.

It was like being stuck in a game level. When he couldn't pass, he would habitually look for a strategy guide.

Although there was an element of lack of precaution, being instantly killed upon appearance showed that the gap between him and the female mage was a bit large.

And unilateral abuse was not good for cultivation. At this time, if he could find the female mage's inheritance based on this clue, figure it out, and then fight, he would have a much better chance…

"Well, there's no rush. I'll go to the yamen tomorrow to ask Little Ma. He has experience."

Zhao Du'an made up his mind and couldn't help but feel a little resentful:

"Old Xu's design is completely unreasonable. How can anyone encounter such a powerful opponent as soon as they enter the Divine Chapter? It's simply hellish difficulty."

Shaking his head, Zhao Du'an felt a burst of exhaustion and fell asleep.

…

A night passed without incident, and the next day dawned.

When the sky was still dim, the officials who came to court were already gathering in the Meridian Gate Square outside the Taihe Hall.

In the past, the officials would arrive early, then take a nap, or gather in groups of twos and threes to talk.

But today the atmosphere was obviously a bit different, and many eyes were cast on Chen Hong, a censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, accompanied by whispers.

Obviously, after an afternoon and evening of fermentation yesterday, the matter of Taicang Prefecture had already spread.

"When His Majesty inquires later, just respond truthfully. If there are any changes, don't say anything rash," Yuan Li said in a low voice, with his sleeves folded, standing beside Chen Hong, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

Censor Chen nodded busily, indicating that he understood. Being appointed as Zhao Du'an's deputy, he naturally knew the importance of today's early court session.

Yuan Li nodded and turned to look outside the Meridian Gate.

At this moment, Ma Yan, the "King of Hell" with a large frame and a cold and irritable temperament, also walked in.

The Zhao Yamen and the major yamen were at odds with each other. Ma Yan often went to court alone, and few people approached him. Today was no exception.

At this moment, the two sides glanced at each other, nodded to each other, and continued to wait.

After a while, Li Yanfu arrived late.

The old Prime Minister of the Great Yu Dynasty was expressionless. Unlike his usual sleepy appearance, his waist and back seemed to be straighter today.

Several members of the Li faction followed behind him, all with serious expressions. After seeing the people from the Metropolitan Procuratorate, their eyes rubbed against each other in the air, as if sparks were flying.

"Dang—"

The bell rang, and the officials entered the court.

When the ministers stood firm in the Golden Luan Hall, the Empress, wearing a dragon robe and a beaded crown, and with increasingly profound majesty, walked to the dragon chair.

The eunuch next to her went through the process and asked if anyone had anything to report.

Censor Chen Hong stepped out sideways, walked forward, holding a memorial in his hands, and said loudly:

"Your Majesty, the case of embezzlement in the Taicang silver mine has been investigated and clarified. The offending official, Gao Lian, the governor of Linfeng, was escorted to Beijing yesterday…"

As the deputy envoy, he represented Zhao Du'an in court today.

Even though the news had already spread, the ministers were still greatly surprised after hearing Chen Hong's complete version of the story, and there was some commotion in the hall for a while.

Xu Zhenguan, sitting upright on the dragon chair, had a cold expression:

"The governor of Linfeng dared to commit numerous crimes and regarded the court's majesty as nothing. What do you ministers think?"

The first sentence set the tone, and the second sentence asked for opinions.

If it was an ordinary case, after the Empress said this, the ministers should follow the tone she set and echo her, actively proposing severe punishment, and the Empress would nod in agreement.

However, as soon as she finished speaking, Li Yanfu actually stepped forward and cleared his throat, saying:

"This old minister believes that this matter is very important and involves the integrity of a governor. It should be carefully verified, or more officials from Taicang should be transferred to Beijing. A decision should be made after confirmation."

He's taking the field himself?

The officials present were shocked. Generally speaking, in cases involving disputes, they would first arrange for the censors within the faction to speak first. The censors' questioning was justified and left room for maneuver.

But this time, Li Yanfu was the first to jump out and express his position, which already indicated a certain attitude.

"Hehe, the Prime Minister is experienced and prudent. It is not wrong to say that there should be another review, but the word 'integrity' is a bit inappropriate," Yuan Li walked out with a smile, facing his old opponent, and talked eloquently:

"This time, Envoy Zhao went to Taicang and solved this major case. Witnesses, testimonies, and evidence are all available. There is no suspense. Gao Lian is already a criminal and cannot afford this word.

As for the verification, our Metropolitan Procuratorate has carefully examined the evidence yesterday and confirmed that it is exactly as stated in the memorial. In this case, there is no need to delay any longer. We should punish him as soon as possible to proclaim the majesty of the national law to the world."

You want to review and re-examine?

No problem, I've already helped you review it.

Li Yanfu raised his eyes to look at Yuan Qingyi and said:

"When investigating a case, one should avoid suspicion. This trip to Taicang was participated by Censor Chen. How can the Metropolitan Procuratorate's verification count? Moreover, in this so-called evidence, is there a confession of guilt from Gao Lian? If not, it is doubtful. How can a dignified governor not be allowed to defend himself and be convicted?"

You said you checked it, and that's it? Do you understand avoiding suspicion?

Yuan Li sneered and said:

"The Prime Minister's words are wrong. Chen Hong was only a deputy on this trip to Taicang. What suspicion does our Metropolitan Procuratorate have to avoid? Oh yes, I heard that the Prime Minister and Zhao Du'an are at odds and have many personal grudges. Could it be that the Prime Minister is questioning it because this case was solved by Zhao Du'an?

After all, it is impossible that Gao Lian is also from a Jiangnan gentry family, a fellow villager, and is being protected?"

These words were too harsh.

Before Li Yanfu could say anything, a secretary from the Li faction behind him had already jumped out and started scolding, questioning Yuan Li's nonsense and slandering court officials.

On the Metropolitan Procuratorate's side, a censor also jumped out and launched a fierce counterattack, criticizing Li Yanfu for using public office for private revenge and preventing Zhao Du'an from making contributions.

For a time, the Golden Luan Hall was noisy.

The two camps were clearly divided.

The Li faction's strategy was to "delay", wanting to lengthen the time in the trial process, preferably running to Taicang a few more times to collect evidence, first striving for enough time for activities, and then trying to save people.

The Metropolitan Procuratorate advocated beheading as soon as possible, highlighting speed.

In the end, the Empress reconciled the two sides' claims and casually ordered:

"This case will be handed over to the Three Divisions for joint trial, and it must be clarified within ten days at the latest."

…

…

Zhao Yamen, the Governor's Hall.

"So the result of the argument in the early court was to escort the person to the Ministry of Justice's prison first? Then the Three Divisions will conduct a joint trial?" Zhao Du'an asked in surprise, holding a piece of cake in his hand.

Inside the "conference room" where the nine halls usually held meetings.

Grand Supervisor Ma Yan, who had returned to the yamen after the court session, sat upright in the main seat.

In the hall, besides Zhao Du'an, there were also Zhang Han and Haitang, who had come to inquire.

Zhao Du'an had run to the yamen early this morning, first simply dealing with the trivial matters accumulated in the Pear Blossom Hall during this period.

After learning that Ma Yan had returned from the court session, he ran over to inquire about the news.

"Yes, to convict a governor, even if you bring back the evidence, according to the national law, a retrial in Beijing is necessary. Otherwise, it would be too easy for any imperial envoy to fabricate unjust, false, and wrong cases."

Ma Yan explained: "Therefore, Lord Yuan's purpose is not to prevent a retrial, nor is it not to have a joint trial by the Three Divisions, but to avoid delays in the process. Otherwise, it is not uncommon for a case to be tried for half a year or a year."

Xun Ge once said something similar, meaning that Chinese people like to reconcile the most. If you want to open a window, you have to say that you want to tear down the house… Zhao Du'an nodded, expressing his understanding.

Beside him, Haitang couldn't help but say:

"So, what will Li Yanfu do? Will he still try to delay it, or what? Pei Kai of the Ministry of Justice has been removed, and Zhou Cheng of the Dali Temple has also been removed… It is impossible for them to dominate the joint trial, right?"

Ma Yan nodded and shook his head, saying:

"It is indeed difficult for Li Yanfu to dominate, almost impossible, but this does not mean that they cannot do anything. Never underestimate the foundation of the 'Li faction'.

Back then, when His Majesty removed Pei and Zhou, Li Yanfu did not try his best to protect them. This was both his initiative to retreat, but also to advance by retreating, sacrificing the big ones but also protecting the foundation…

Don't think that the so-called Li faction relies on those few pillar-like ministers. The reason why the Li faction can make His Majesty jealous is not because there are a few high-ranking officials, but because of the many Jiangnan gentry-born officials who are deeply rooted in the middle and lower levels!

For example, in the Ministry of Justice, Pei Kai has fallen, but there are still a large number of Li faction officials inside. They seem inconspicuous, but it is this group of people who are really doing things."

So, the subtext is that the Li faction seems to have lost a few high-ranking officials and suffered heavy losses, and it is indeed a heavy loss… but the foundation is still there…

The reason why Li Yanfu tacitly allowed the abandonment of his pawns is precisely because the fall of Pei Kai and Zhou Cheng is not fatal.

Zhao Du'an's heart shuddered and he noted this down.

The consecutive victories made him begin to deconstruct Li Yanfu and even look down on him… This is very likely to be an illusion.

Never underestimate the enemy at any time!

"Alright, you guys go back first. If there are any changes, I'll look for you."

Ma Yan said.

"Yes." Zhang Han and Haitang got up to say goodbye.

However, Zhao Du'an stayed behind, put on a smile, and rubbed his hands: "That… Senior Brother…"

Ma Yan glanced at him and said lightly: "Spit it out."

Tsk, he really is a solitary minister with a bad personality. Even though I am increasingly favored, he is still unceremonious to me… He has character… Zhao Du'an said with a smile:

"I want to ask you about cultivation matters. Well, recently, I finally entered the Six Chapters Scripture, and then I encountered that ancient female mage in red, who smashed people's skulls with a steelyard… You also cultivate the Martial God path, you must have encountered it before, so I want to ask, how to deal with it?"

Ma Yan initially listened quite seriously, preparing to give cultivation advice, but when he heard the latter part, he couldn't help but be stunned:

"Female mage in red? What female mage?"