Chapter 176 The emperor’s heart is unpredictable
Hu Weiyong seemed a little flustered.

This is no small matter, it could really cost you your life.

He has always known Zhu Yuanzhang.

At that moment, he prostrated himself on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, these... these are all fabricated, fabricated, Your Majesty, how can you believe them so easily..."

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at him intently.

Hu Weiyong continued, "Someone must have slandered me. It was Lu Zhongheng and Fei Ju. They tried to frame me... It was Deng Qianqiu. That's right, Your Majesty. It was Deng Qianqiu... Deng Qianqiu and I... have not been on good terms these days. He has some prejudice against me, so they wanted to take this opportunity to frame me. Your Majesty... Your Majesty... I have been working diligently and fearfully over the years. I am loyal to Your Majesty. I am just a civil official. How could I have such a courage..."

As he spoke, he began to cry and choked up, "Deng Qianqiu, just because you have a grudge against me, you framed me like this. I dare not say that I have not made any mistakes over the years, but such accusations really make me shudder."

At the moment, although he was frightened, he did not panic.

He believed that he had not revealed any clues and thought that His Majesty's rebuke must be just a bluff, or that Deng Qianqiu had said something bad.

The only way to reduce the credibility of Deng Qianqiu's remarks is to doubt Deng Qianqiu's personal morality. Only by proving that Deng Qianqiu is a vindictive person who likes to take personal revenge, then... Your Majesty's suspicion can be largely reduced.

"Your Majesty, Deng Qianqiu is young, and young people are inevitably hot-tempered, and hot-tempered people inevitably give rise to selfish desires. When people have selfish desires, he took this opportunity to add insult to injury. I have nothing to say, but can't Your Majesty see my loyalty over the years? Your Majesty must not just believe Deng Qianqiu's lies and doubt me, an old minister who has followed Your Majesty for many years."

What he said made sense and even had a touch of sadness.

But Zhu Yuanzhang's expression became strange.

This made Hu Weiyong feel that the emperor's mind was even more unpredictable, and he was about to say something.

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly interrupted and asked, "You mean I shouldn't trust Deng Qianqiu?"

Hu Weiyong said: "That's right."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "But what Deng Qianqiu said is that these are just rumors, and there is no real evidence, so... I should not pursue it."

Hu Weiyong: “…”

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Hu Weiyong and said, "So, should I trust you or Deng Qianqiu?"

Hu Weiyong almost couldn't hold back his expression, but luckily he reacted quickly and said, "Your Majesty... I... am really a villain who judges others by their own standards. I will die a thousand times."

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered: "Making friends with ministers can be considered as forming a clique for personal gain. What do you guys want to do by getting together and forming a group?"

Without waiting for Hu Weiyong to beg for mercy, Zhu Yuanzhang sneered again: "What's more, you suspect it's related to the Yiluansi! Deng Qianqiu, the Qianhu Office should investigate the Yiluansi matter."

Deng Qianqiu said simply, "Yes."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Li Shanchang again and said: "Duke Hanguo seems to be in good health. This makes me feel relieved."

Elder Li Shan's face turned red. He had to come. His Majesty's words were undoubtedly full of sarcasm.

This was unimaginable in the past. You know, Zhu Yuanzhang had never said such sarcastic words to him.

But at this moment, he had no choice but to bear it: "Your Majesty, this old minister...is ashamed."

Zhu Yuanzhang ignored him and said loudly: "Right Prime Minister Hu Weiyong, go home for the time being, face the wall and reflect on your mistakes, and wait for punishment."

Hu Weiyong tried hard not to show any resentment, but his heart had sunk to the bottom.

He had finally climbed to the high position of Right Prime Minister today. An ambitious man like Hu Weiyong had long been dissatisfied with being a mere Right Prime Minister and wanted to replace Wang Guangyang, the Left Prime Minister.

It would be best to directly control the entire Secretariat, hold the power of the prime minister, and have the final say on all matters in the world.

Now... he is asked to go home and bear the consequences of his crime. Although he has not been dismissed from his post yet, it is enough to make him feel extremely humiliated and at a loss.

He raised his head slightly and glanced at Li Shanchang secretly.

Li Shanchang just knelt on the ground quietly without saying a word.

Hu Weiyong couldn't help feeling ashamed and angry.

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang said again: "The case needs to be thoroughly investigated, Wang Qing's family..."

Wang Guangyang said: "I am here."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Zhongshu Province, I'm afraid I have to trouble you. You will shoulder the burden of Zhongshu Province for the time being."

Wang Guangyang was overjoyed in his heart, but his face was calm and he said quickly, "I obey your order."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "Investigate, continue to investigate thoroughly, investigate inside the palace and outside the palace! As for Fei Ju and Lu Zhongheng, arrest their families. In my opinion, they are probably hiding many things deliberately. How can they let off such a heinous crime so easily? You gentlemen, take your leave. Qianqiu, you stay." The ministers shouted "Long live the emperor" and left one after another.

Deng Qianqiu stayed where he was. Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him and said, "Do you understand my arrangement?"

Deng Qianqiu said: "Your Majesty still wants to continue to investigate thoroughly, and temporarily let Mr. Hu bear the blame. I think... Your Majesty wants to wait and see."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Deng Qianqiu with a half-smile: "You, although you have a kind heart, you are actually smart! Yes, there are still many things that don't match up. I want to know how many people are involved here, and to what extent. Have you seen the surface of Xuanwu Lake? On weekdays, it is calm, but under the sparkling waves, no one knows how many fish and shrimps there are. If you want to know, throw a big stone in the water, and when the wind blows and the waves surge, you can get a glimpse of it."

Zhu Yuanzhang paused and said, "So I ask you to continue investigating and see what Hu Weiyong will do."

Deng Qianqiu understood and said, "I understand. I am the stone and I have to make some noise."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "I understand."

…………

The rain has stopped and the sky is filled with rosy clouds.

Wang Guangyang had no intention of appreciating the beautiful scenery, but his steps were brisk and he seemed happier.

But Liu Ji was obviously frowning and looked solemn.

Wang Guangyang glanced at him and said, "Why, Bowen, are you worried about Hu Weiyong?"

Liu Ji said, "I am worried about Lord Wang."

"Hmm?" Wang Guangyang was surprised for a moment, and then he couldn't help but frowned: "I want to ask you something."

Liu Ji asked, "Why was Lord Wang able to become the Left Prime Minister?"

Wang Guangyang thought for a moment and said, "Whether it's qualifications or..."

Liu Ji shook his head: "Wrong, wrong, absolutely wrong. The reason why Lord Wang can become the left prime minister, second only to the emperor and above all others, is not only because of Lord Wang's high talent and reputation, but I'm afraid it is also related to the arrogance of those Huaixi officials."

Wang Guangyang frowned even more deeply, and couldn't help but ask: "You mean, if Hu Weiyong gets into trouble, I will also be in trouble soon?"

"That may not be the case." Liu Ji said, "But once the Secretary of State Wang can have his say, naturally, many people will flock to serve under him. By then, everyone will be proud of being Wang's lackey, and over time, the disaster of factionalism will be imminent."

Wang Guangyang suddenly became unhappy, his face turned colder, and he said, "Do I have to have a villain like Hu Weiyong by my side to be safe? Bowen, you are too cautious. We are all scholars. Scholars should aim to govern the country and bring peace to the world, instead of thinking about self-preservation."

The four words "be prudent and protect yourself" made Liu Ji silent immediately.

For a educated person, these four words are tantamount to being pointed at on the head and cursed.

He just glanced at the ambitious Wang Guangyang and said nothing more.

…………

"Mr. Li, Mr. Li..."

Hu Weiyong supported Li Shanchang with a look of reluctance and sadness on his face.

Li Shanchang, on the other hand, was trembling slightly and walking slowly. He said nothing, with only endless regret on his face.

Hu Weiyong said sadly, "Mr. Li, I deserve death, but I still need you to protect me. Mr. Li, Deng Qianqiu... is really abominable. He wants to put me to death. And Wang Guangyang, I'm afraid he is overjoyed and celebrating. Mr. Li has retired, and I am a criminal. Sooner or later, all the good and bad things that Mr. Li and I did when we were in power will be dug up by these despicable villains and framed. In a few years, you and I will be dead without a burial place."

Li Shanchang was breathing heavily and seemed unable to walk anymore.

Hu Weiyong hurriedly held his arm and said, "Mr. Li, please say something."

"Do you really want to tell me?" Li Shanchang looked at Hu Weiyong with sad eyes.

Hu Weiyong said: "I always listen to Mr. Li's teachings."

Li Shanchang sighed and said, "Go home and bear the punishment. Don't say anything, don't do anything, don't have anything to do with anyone anymore. Read books, go fishing, control the people around you, don't mess around anymore."

Hu Weiyong was stunned after hearing this, and then asked: "Mr. Li, do you still think that... you can keep your wealth and honor by hiding like this?"

Li Shanchang seemed to have understood what Hu Weiyong meant. He smiled bitterly and said, "When you first joined me, I thought you were a smart person. You are too smart. Smart people... can't help but think that everyone is inferior to you. But... Hu Weiyong, Hu Weiyong, you are too smart for your own good. You don't know at all how powerful our emperor is. In his eyes, your ridiculous so-called means and thoughts are nothing but a joke. Now that things have come to this, can't you repent?"

Hu Weiyong seemed to have suffered a great humiliation. He subconsciously asked, "How many books has the current emperor read?"

(End of this chapter)