The First Lackey Under The Empress

Congratulations.

This is a congratulatory remark, but placed here, the intention of gloating is all too obvious.

Zhao Du'an's expression was indifferent as he looked at the youth who had taken over his hall. His mind conjured up the other party's information:

Zhang Changshuo, also a White Horse Bureau envoy, and his mortal enemy.

Born into a family of scholars, he was a famous talent in the capital, with a brilliant reputation. But in the original owner's memory, this person was a hypocritical and sanctimonious man.

The reason the two became enemies was that Zhang Changshuo had long coveted the Empress. When the latter ascended the throne, he wrote poems and articles praising her.

Because of his talent and good looks, his poems and articles had been praised by the Empress, so many people believed that he was likely to become the Empress's "intimate companion". However, Zhao Du'an, who came from the forbidden army, snatched the prize.

Zhang Changshuo did not give up and always regarded the original owner as an enemy, vainly trying to replace him.

In two words, the relationship between the two can be vividly summarized:

Love rivals!

"My lord, Envoy Zhang just barged in and said he wanted to wait for you to return. This humble servant had no choice but to..."

In the hall, Zhu Kui, with dark skin and a face full of horizontal lines, hurriedly explained.

Zhang Changshuo looked regretful:

"I heard that Brother Zhao was hunting down rebels and accidentally let go of a big fish, and was also injured. I came to visit in a hurry. I'm relieved to see that Brother is unharmed."

He's here to see a joke, isn't he... Zhao Du'an leisurely sat down in the main seat and said lightly:

"Serving the Sage, a little injury is not worth mentioning."

Zhang Changshuo 'oh'ed and said:

"However, now that Brother has caused trouble, I'm afraid those knife-wielding judges in the Imperial Court won't let you off easily."

Zhao Du'an took the teacup handed over by his subordinate, his expression indifferent:

"Indeed, when I came out of the palace, I glimpsed those people from afar, presumably they are going to file a complaint with the Emperor."

Immediately, he said with sarcasm:

"However, the Sage is tired, but may not be willing to see them."

Zhang Changshuo's smug look froze:

"You went to see the Emperor? What did Her Majesty say?"

Zhao Du'an took a sip of tea before saying meaningfully:

"Her Majesty was tired after seeing me."

The most brilliant lies are those where every sentence is true, but when put together, they reveal a false fact.

Damn it, what did you do to her?!

Zhang Changshuo's breathing tightened, his eyes turned green, and the joy of gloating was replaced by anger.

But soon, his expression softened, and he sneered:

"Flaunting your eloquence, but we'll see how you clean up the mess."

After speaking, he got up and left with a flick of his sleeves, his footsteps hurried.

He suspected that Zhao Du'an was lying to him, but he had no evidence and was preparing to send someone to inquire immediately.

...

Watching his love rival leave, Zhu Kui, dressed in official uniform, squeezed out a flattering smile and praised:

"This humble servant knew long ago that with your lord's relationship with Her Majesty, nothing would happen naturally. It's ridiculous that this Zhang fellow came to humiliate himself."

Heh, coming to express loyalty at this time? If I fall, you're probably a weathervane too... Zhao Du'an slandered in his heart, not thinking that with the original owner's despicable persona, there would be any loyal subordinates.

He smiled and deliberately sighed:

"Her Majesty is kind, but those people in the court who want to put me to death are not easy to deal with either, so I still have to give an explanation."

Zhu Kui was stunned, pondered for a moment, and suddenly realized:

"Find a scapegoat?"

Then his face showed a sinister look:

"My lord, please rest assured, leave this matter to this humble servant, and it will naturally be done seamlessly."

... Zhao Du'an couldn't stand this kind of villainous behavior and said in a deep voice:

"Stupid! Do you think the people in the Imperial Court are blind? Or that the entire court is mentally retarded? Her Majesty has her own arrangements."

He was pulling the tiger's skin and making a big banner.

If he wanted to survive, he still had to rely on these subordinates.

Therefore, he must first stabilize people's hearts, so that Zhu Kui and others would think that he would not fall, and only then would they be loyal to him.

But before long, the Empress's ambiguous attitude might spread.

So Zhao Du'an's remarks were a preemptive strike.

In this way, even if there was an accident, Zhu Kui and others would only think that this was "the Empress's plan" and would not think too much.

"What about that rebel female thief named 'Yun Niang'?" Zhao Du'an asked.

When Grand Tutor Zhuang Xiaocheng ran away, he failed to take away his unconscious female disciple. Before Zhao Du'an entered the palace, he ordered Zhu Kui to imprison her.

Zhu Kui said:

"This humble servant has押入此人 into the government prison, but her soul has been impacted by術法 magic, and she hasn't woken up yet. Does your lord want to see her?"

Zhao Du'an waved his hand:

"No hurry. But remember, don't let anyone else take her away."

Zhu Kui said confidently:

"My lord, rest assured, the government prison is directly under our jurisdiction, and those people in the Imperial Court can't overstep their authority and snatch people from us."

He was originally working in the government office and was an experienced old official who knew the duties of each government office very well.

Zhao Du'an "En"ed, and the image of the sword-wielding girl in the bamboo forest broken temple, with a righteous face and vowing to die with him, the evil villain, appeared in his mind.

This was the clue he was investigating the rebels, and he must firmly grasp it in his hand.

But looking at her performance, she must be a tough nut to crack, and it would be difficult to gain any substantial gains in a short time, not to mention that she was still unconscious.

He needed a more secure opportunity to perform meritorious service.

"By the way," Zhu Kui suddenly remembered something and took out a letter from his arms:

"I almost forgot, after this humble servant returned to the yamen, I received a letter from a servant from the residence of the Count of Ning'an, which was given to you."

Count of Ning'an?

In Zhao Du'an's mind, the original owner's remaining memories emerged in response:

After the original owner was rumored to be the Empress's male favorite and his status soared, all the large and small government offices in the capital had to give him some face, for fear of offending the Empress's pillow person.

Interested people began to come to his door one after another, bribing him and asking him to help with matters.

The original owner was cautious at first, but he couldn't help but give too much... he gradually began to sell the power in his hands and amass wealth.

The Count of Ning'an was a hereditary "Viscount" of Yu State, engaged in the "broker" profession in the capital, introducing "business" for others and taking commissions.

Not long ago, the Count of Ning'an approached the original owner.

Saying that someone was willing to spend money to ask the original owner to help save a local official from the Jiangnan gentry who had committed a crime and was now detained in the Ministry of Justice prison from being punished.

The arrogant and conceited original owner readily agreed, but because he was focused on arresting rebels, he dragged his feet and didn't do it for them. Now that many days have passed, presumably...

"Tear." Zhao Du'an casually tore open the fire lacquer, shook open the letter paper, and glanced at it.

As expected, the Count of Ning'an was impatient and invited him to a banquet tonight to urge him in person.

It's the Jiangnan gentry again... Someone送枕头 delivered a pillow when he was sleepy... The corners of Zhao Du'an's mouth hooked up.

It seems that the mess left by the original owner is not all pits. Isn't this an opportunity to perform meritorious service coming to his door?

It's difficult and dangerous for the upright to perform meritorious service, but it's easy for the villain to perform meritorious service by selling a teammate for sacrifice.

"Prepare the car, I'm going out later."

Zhao Du'an looked at the sunset that dyed the verdant flowers and trees outside the hall, like blood.

After thinking about it, he added another sentence: "Find two reliable subordinates, tonight..."

...

...

Later in the evening.

In another duty room in the yamen, Zhang Changshuo sat on a sandalwood chair, holding a folding fan, listening to the report of the clerks.

"So, the Prime Minister discussed state affairs with the Sage? The Zhao fellow also waited for a long time? Only then did he barely see the Sage for a while? Those censors in the Censorate are already gearing up, writing memorials to prepare to attack the Zhao dog together?"

Zhang Changshuo was overjoyed, flicked his folding fan, and sneered:

"As expected, it's a bluff!"

Although the Empress did not immediately send someone to arrest Zhao Du'an, she obviously did not show any signs of protecting him.

"It must be that the Zhao dog wagged its tail and begged for mercy, so Her Majesty did not make a decision for a while, but after this incident, Her Majesty's favor will inevitably be greatly reduced, coupled with the impeachment of the court..."

Zhang Changshuo paced excitedly, his eyes flickering, realizing that this was a God-given opportunity to abolish Zhao Du'an.

"What's the movement over at the Count of Ning'an?" he asked.

The clerk below reported: "Zhao Du'an has ordered to prepare the car, presumably he is going to the banquet."

"Good!" Zhang Changshuo was overjoyed.

In order to defeat Zhao Du'an, he had been keen to collect black material about him. Unfortunately, although Zhao Du'an was debauched and notorious, the things he had committed were not big enough.

It was not enough to deliver a fatal blow.

Not long ago, he learned that the Count of Ning'an was suspected of contacting Zhao Du'an, so he sent someone to keep an eye on him.

Unfortunately, he failed to obtain evidence of the two people's transaction. If he could obtain solid evidence of Zhao Du'an's corruption and乱法 illegal activities when the two sides meet again today and send it to the Censorate, it would be tantamount to the last straw that broke the Zhao dog's back.

Zhang Changshuo: "Pass on my order, find two reliable subordinates, tonight..."