Chapter 184 Everyone’s Expectation

Hu Weiyong returned to his study calmly.

He sat with a gloomy brow, pondering for a long while.

Then, he slowly ordered someone to call in several scholars from the mansion.

"Mr. Hu." The leading scholar bowed to Hu Weiyong.

Hu Weiyong nodded to him and said, "Well... you already know the truth, right?"

"I already know." The scholar was very elegant and sighed, "Things have deteriorated so quickly that I have no way to react. If I had known this would happen..."

Hu Weiyong interrupted, "It's useless to talk about this now. What I need to care about now is what to do next."

The scholar frowned deeply, his face became serious, and he said, "May I ask, Mr. Hu, how much do you know?"

Hu Weiyong said, "Xingye is a frivolous person. How could I let him know so much? This is why I think there may be room for maneuver."

After hearing this, the scholar smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Mr. Hu, I think otherwise."

"Hmm? What do you think, sir?"

The scholar stroked his well-groomed beard and said, "The problem now is how to make people believe that you know nothing about these things. The problem is, do other people know? Even if someone is willing to believe, then... it is inevitable that some people don't believe. Over the years, there are eleven marquises who have a close relationship with Lord Hu, and countless other officials. Lord Hu... now in addition to Fei Ju and Lu Zhongheng, there are nine marquises, and these nine people have the deepest relationship with Lord Hu. Once two or three of these people don't believe, then... things will be very tricky. Lord Hu, guess... what choice they will make?"

Hu Weiyong raised his head and glanced at the scholar.

The scholar said, "They have only two choices. One is to report Mr. Hu and redeem themselves. The other is to turn the tables and fight to the death. But in fact, in my opinion, their choice is not important. What is important is Mr. Hu."

Hu Weiyong seemed to have understood something, but he didn't show it and continued to ask: "Oh? I'd like to hear more about it."

The scholar said, "If Lord Hu dares to fight back and survive, these people are deeply involved with Lord Hu, and I'm afraid they will bite the bullet and stir up trouble with Lord Hu. But if Lord Hu keeps silent, then the matter will be exposed sooner or later. It has come to this point. They are in a state of panic every day, like a frightened bird. When the time comes, they will inevitably report it. Lord Hu has no way out. At this time... if he wants to survive, there is only one way to go."

A hint of coldness flashed across Hu Weiyong's eyes.

He asked suddenly: "Is there a chance of winning?"

The scholar said, "Why have many meritorious officials become disloyal in the past few years? Isn't it because they originally thought that following Your Majesty would bring them great wealth and honor? But what is the reality? In fact, although they were granted titles of dukes and marquises, which seemed to be the highest positions among officials, the court has countless rules. The land and annual salaries they were awarded were just so-so, and the assignments they were given were also very onerous. Many people who have made great contributions always feel that their merits do not match their current titles. Otherwise, how could Lord Hu easily win over the eleven marquises?"

"As for the officials, it's even more unnecessary to say. If it was during the Yuan Dynasty, even a small county magistrate of the seventh rank would have fields stretching across the fields and servants like clouds, which was very happy. But in this Ming Dynasty, even a person like Mr. Li, who is at the top of the official ranks, is trembling with fear and walking on thin ice. The salary he eats is only enough to support a rich man. The wealth and land he was given, as well as the annual salary, are really not worth mentioning. Since the Yuan Dynasty, he is not even as good as a county magistrate. Mr. Hu, now the meritorious officials and officials in the world have reached their limit. Among them, there are countless people who are dissatisfied in private. So..."

When he said this, the scholar paused, his eyes gradually became sharp, and then he continued: "So... what we need to do now is, if we can get rid of His Majesty, then everyone will respond. The only worry is... the palace is heavily guarded..."

Hu Weiyong's expression remained unchanged. He closed his eyes for a long time, listening carefully. He seemed to be considering, and after a long time he said: "My popularity is not high enough, we can ask Lord Li to take charge of the situation. Lord Li can be the emperor."

The scholar looked at Hu Weiyong deeply and said, "Mr. Li is old..."

Hu Weiyong said: "Right now we are trying to survive from death, and Lord Li's students and former officials are all over the country. As long as he takes charge of this situation, things will be easy to handle. If things are successful, he will stay in the palace and I will naturally manage the state affairs."

Hu Weiyong thought for a moment and continued, "Spread the news. If you are determined to do this, you should do it in one go! You go through the secret passage and deliver the message in person. You must be careful. Oh... yes, let our people in the Yiluansi... be responsible for delivering the message to prevent it from being leaked."

"Here."

Hu Weiyong couldn't help but tremble, not knowing whether it was out of excitement or fear, and he continued, "Tell everyone, don't think of running away when disaster strikes! They know the temperament of the current emperor better than anyone else. Now that it has come to this, no one can distance themselves from it. And... that Deng Qianqiu..."

When he said the three words "Deng Qianqiu", a deep hatred flashed across Hu Weiyong's eyes.

Hu Weiyong has always been known for his vindictiveness. He gnashed his teeth and said, "I will not be a human being if I don't take revenge for this. I will never be able to get rid of my hatred if I don't kill Deng Qianqiu's entire family."

The scholar hesitated for a moment and said, "I think otherwise. In fact, we can just leave this person alone after the matter is done. Think about it, once the matter is done, the world will be suspicious and everyone will be in danger. At this time, if Mr. Hu can treat Deng Qianqiu well, people in the world will think that Mr. Hu can tolerate Deng Qianqiu. With such a broad mind, he must be ten or a hundred times more tolerant than the current emperor. In this way, everyone will be relieved."

He looked at Hu Weiyong's eyes filled with hatred, and continued: "As for revenge, that is a matter for the future. After three to five years, the overall situation will be settled, and the world will be at peace. It will be easy to chop Deng Qianqiu into pieces."

Hu Weiyong looked at the scholar deeply, took a deep breath, and regained his rationality. He said, "What matters now is Lord Li. Everyone should pay more attention to Lord Li's expression."

“Students go there in person.”

"Okay, without further ado, remember, go through the secret passage. I'm afraid someone is watching outside this mansion."

"Here."

…………Li Mansion.

Li Cunyi, the Minister of the Imperial Household, had hurried to the outside of Li Shanchang's courtyard.

"Second Master... The Master is not feeling well."

Li Cunyi flew into a rage, and slapped the old slave in the face, saying sternly: "I want to see my brother, why would you be so intrusive here!"

Having said this, he forcefully pushed the old slave away and strode into the depths of the courtyard.

When he arrived at Li Shanchang's study, Li Cunyi rushed in.

As soon as he saw Li Shanchang, Li Cunyi shouted: "Brother, disaster is imminent, do you still have the heart to read books at this time?"

When Li Shanchang saw his brother, he seemed to have known that something was wrong. His face was grim and he said, "Is a disaster coming? If there is a disaster, isn't it you who brought it upon yourself?"

Li Cunyi said, "Brother, the matter is urgent and I have to report it. I came in without warning. Please forgive me."

Li Shanchang said, "Go ahead, tell me."

He sighed.

Li Cunyi said: "Your Majesty has already decided to kill you all."

Li Shanchang said, "I understand."

Li Cunyi added: "Among those who are to be killed, I am afraid... I am also one of them. Brother, I will not hide the truth from you. In addition to being a relative by marriage and an old friend, I have received many benefits from him over the years. In addition, I have also written many letters to him, many of which contain forbidden words."

Li Shanchang was not surprised at all. He even said calmly, "Go and surrender yourself to His Majesty. Perhaps His Majesty will spare your life for my sake."

Li Cunyi smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Back then... I also participated in some of the deals with the Japanese pirates..."

Elder Li Shan’s face twitched.

Li Cunyi said: "Not only that, some of the princesses and noble ladies of the Yuan Dynasty should have been confiscated, and I also picked some and kept them in my mansion."

Li Shanchang smiled, but it was a sad smile, and said, "Good, good, good, that's great."

Li Cunyi obviously didn't care about his brother's feelings at this time, and said to himself: "Brother, if Hu Weiyong gets into trouble, then I... will inevitably be guilty of treason, which will lead to the execution of the whole family! If I die, how can you stay safe?"

Li Shanchang looked at Li Cunyi with sorrow in his eyes and asked, "What do you want to say?"

"Mr. Hu has made up his mind. I only hope that my brother can take charge of the situation. By then, my Li family can become the emperor."

Li Shanchang's sad look suddenly changed, and he looked at Li Cunyi in shock.

He looked at someone with an expression as if he was looking at a mentally retarded person, and was actually speechless for a moment.

After trying hard to slow down, he finally found his voice and asked, "Who told you this?"

"It's Mr. Hu... there's already a thorough plan..."

Li Shanchang smiled, with sarcasm in his eyes, and said, "Does our Li family have the aura of an emperor?"

"It's man-made."

Li Shanchang laughed again: "If there is a one in a million chance and it succeeds, given Hu Weiyong's personality, will he be willing to let the Li family be the emperor? If so, it will be a disaster for our Li family."

Li Cunyi looked at Li Shanchang deeply and said, "Brother, you have been highly respected by the people of the world for a long time. The military and civilians of the world all respect you. Brother, you have such high respect and support from the people. Even if Lord Hu has other ideas in the future, what can he do?"

"Hahahaha...the people's hearts..." Li Shanchang laughed. At this moment, he was a little crazy. No, to be precise, he was not crazy, but he felt that the whole world was crazy.

"What do you mean by the will of the people? Are you talking about the so-called ministers who are surrounded by you, or the ministers who are scheming for personal gain? You don't believe that the so-called resentment of these people is related to the millions of soldiers and civilians in the world, do you?"

"Brother... why do you say that? Go out and ask around..."

(End of this chapter)