Han Dynasty Achievements

Chapter 271: Storm Rising from the Prime Minister's Residence

Chapter 271: Storm Rising from Prime Minister's Residence

In the middle of February in the fifth year of Yonghan.

Punish Cao.

Sima Jun looked even older. This man in his eighties always came to work rain or shine. He was never late, and never left early. He always stayed on time.

The affairs of the Criminal Department were handled in a proper manner, with occasional minor mistakes but never major ones.

In addition, Sima Jun rarely spoke in the court, which made his "prestige" even more grand. No matter how high or low the official position was, everyone in the court and the public treated him politely as "Sima Gong" and respected him.

Sima Lang came in from outside, his face full of anxiety and his steps a little unsteady.

Sima Jun said without even looking up, "Don't panic when facing things, be calm and composed."

Sima Lang paused, then took a deep breath, stepped forward with a solemn expression, and whispered, "Grandfather, there's a rumor going around that the servants of the Prime Minister's Mansion have occupied a large area of ​​land in Hongnong, harming the people, and even expelling officials."

Sima Jun paused with his pen in his hand, slowly raised his head and said, "Is someone impatient and wants to drive the Prime Minister away?"

Sima Lang nodded. Although he was full of uneasiness, he remained calm and said, "Grandfather, I am worried that this case will fall into the hands of the Criminal Department."

'Investigating the Prime Minister' is not an easy job, especially for the Yang family, which has three officials in four generations. Regardless of success or failure, it will only harm the Sima family!

Sima Jun's face was calm. He picked up the teacup and drank a sip of tea, suppressing the discomfort in his heart. Then he looked at Sima Lang and said calmly, "Who do you think did it?"

"Yingchuan..."

Sima Lang almost blurted out "Yingchuan Party", but then he quickly glanced outside, knowing that it was his grandfather who was testing him. After thinking it over, he said, "I think the possibility is the Li Cao."

Xun You, the Minister of Personnel, has been in charge of the appointment of officials of all ranks in recent years. It is no exaggeration to say that there are officials appointed by him everywhere in the entire Han Dynasty!

Hongnong is no exception!

Although the Sima family is also a Yingchuan family, they keep their distance from the two Xuns and others. The outside world does not think that the Sima family is the "Yingchuan Party", and the Sima family does not recognize it even more.

Sima Jun's face showed a hint of strangeness, and he said, "This matter could not be the work of the Second Xun."

Sima Lang was startled, and then he was horrified, and said, "Could it be Zhong Pushe?"

Sima Jun was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Not necessarily. When you are in the middle of a situation, you cannot believe everything you don't know, even if you see it with your own eyes."

Sima Lang raised his hand and said, "Grandson, please teach me."

Sima Jun's throat was itchy and he wanted to cough. He took a big gulp of strong tea and said after a while, "At this time, the Yingchuan Party is the one who hopes nothing will happen the most. It is highly unlikely that this is their work. This so-called case involving the Prime Minister will never fall on my head anyway."

Sima Lang frowned and said, "Grandfather, if it wasn't their work, then who could it be? Grandfather has always stayed away from the court. Isn't Grandfather the best candidate for this case?"

Sima Jun laughed when he heard this and said, "You think so, which shows that you are really serious. However, you overlooked one point. He is the prime minister after all. Although the rank of the Criminal Department has been raised, it is still under the Shangshutai. In addition, with my relationship with the Yang family, this case will most likely be left unresolved."

Sima Lang was stunned. There was too much information in his grandfather's words and he couldn't react for a while.

Immediately he said hurriedly: "No, grandfather, he, no, isn't he going to change his phase? Why can't he just let it go?"

Sima Jun was satisfied with Sima Lang's reaction and said, "Don't worry, just wait and see."

Sima Lang was relieved to see that his grandfather was not panicking at all, and then whispered: "Grandfather, should we do something?"

Sima Jun shook his head, then suddenly looked up, stared at Sima Lang, and asked, "Your father?"

Sima Lang's face changed. He didn't expect that his grandfather would notice his words. He said stiffly, "Yes, father wants to go back to Luoyang."

Sima Jun snorted coldly and said, "Wait until I die."

Sima Lang's heart trembled, and he felt a chill on his neck and dared not breathe.

Next to the Criminal Department, the newly moved in Censorate was also discussing the matter. Unlike Sima Lang's idea, they felt that this case would fall to the Censorate. Xi Zhicai discussed with Liu Cong for a long time.

On the other side, Wang Lang, who had just taken office as the Chief Justice, ignored everything else, left the Chief Justice's Mansion and went straight to the Prime Minister's Mansion.

The location of the Six Caos was relatively peaceful, as if nothing had happened and everyone was busy with their own affairs.

Imperial Palace, Yong'an Palace.

Liu Bian sat beside Liu Yu's bed, looking at the little guy with a pale face and trembling mouth, his expression full of worry.

The doctor next to him slowly withdrew his hand and said to Liu Bian: "Your Majesty, please don't worry. The Second Prince just caught a cold and is not seriously ill. I will prescribe some medicine and he will be fine after a few days of rest."

Liu Bian let out a long sigh of relief and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

"I dare not." The doctor replied and turned to write a prescription.

Liu Bian reached out and touched the little guy's face, only to feel it burning hot, while his body was ice cold. His heart felt heavy as a stone.

This little guy was born with congenital deficiencies and often falls ill, especially in winter. Every time he falls ill, it is heartbreaking.

Tang Ji was wiping her tears, feeling extremely distressed.

At this time, Zuo Li came in quietly and whispered in Liu Bian's ear for a while.

Liu Bian waved his hand and said, "Just keep an eye on it."

Just as Zuo Li was about to step back, he said, "Your Majesty, Cao Cao's daughter has entered the palace and is playing with the princess."

Liu Bian didn't care much and said, "Let them play, don't let her know."

Liu Jing and Liu Yu are twins, a boy and a girl. The little girl is only four years old. Until now, the palace has kept her brother's affairs a secret.

Zuo Li responded and quietly stepped back.

Soon, Tang Ji brought the medicine and carefully fed it to Liu Yu.

The little guy spit out the medicine, frowned, and groaned in pain from time to time.

"Let me come."

When Liu Bian saw this, he took the medicine bowl from Tang Ji and fed it to the little one himself.

I don’t know if Liu Yu heard it, but when Liu Bian’s spoon reached his mouth, the little guy actually opened his mouth.

Liu Bian blew the cold medicine soup and fed it to him bit by bit.

After finishing a bowl of medicine, the little guy's complexion seemed to be much better, and his brows showed signs of relaxing.

Liu Bian took a handkerchief and wiped the cold sweat off his face, then tucked in the corners of the quilt and sighed in his heart.

He has only two sons, and he doesn't know whether this one will live to adulthood.

After sitting for a while, seeing that the little guy had calmed down, Liu Bian left Yong'an Palace silently.

At this moment, Wang Lang was already in the Prime Minister's Mansion.

The fat Yang Biao was sitting on the bridge, holding a fishing rod and fishing with great interest.

Wang Lang did not show the etiquette of meeting the prime minister, and strode over, saying anxiously: "You still have the mind to fish, they are going to attack you."

Yang Biao didn't care at all. He stared at the ice hole and asked loudly, "Mr. Wang, have you eaten?"

Wang Lang heard this and came closer. He looked at his profile and was moved. He asked, "Do you have a plan?"

Yang Biao didn't even turn his head and said in a clear voice: "Mr. Wang, it's not dinner time now. There's no food to eat."

Wang Lang saw Yang Biao's attitude, and his voice was no longer as cautious as before. He became more suspicious and asked, "Are you really not worried?"

Yang Biao suddenly sighed and said, "Jing Xing, I finally got some interest, but you ruined it all."

Wang Lang seemed to see Yang Biao's appearance during the Zhongping period. He was stunned and asked, "You, submitted a letter?"

Yang Biao's fat face was no longer tense as before, and he smiled calmly, saying, "Yes, he was sent to the palace early in the morning."

Wang Lang frowned and said, "For such a long time, there has been no movement in the palace. What are you planning?"

Yang Biao then turned around to look at him. Seeing Wang Lang's worried look, he couldn't help but burst into laughter and said, "Wang Jingxing, Wang Jingxing..."

Before he entered the government, Wang Lang was calm and at ease, and had a very thorough understanding of the government. But since he entered the government, he has been deeply involved in it and has completely lost his previous insight.

Wang Lang knew it very well, but the political situation was too obscure and one could be doomed if he was not careful. How could he be the same as before?

However, Yang Biao's reaction made Wang Lang less nervous. He sat next to him and said calmly, "Are you sure you can get away with it?"

Yang Biao's smile faded slowly. He stared at the ice cave, sighed, and said, "Do your best and leave the rest to fate."

Wang Lang thought silently and did not rush to answer.

Yang Biao's words were not discouraging.

If Yang Biao wants to get out of this situation unscathed, he first needs the agreement of the government and the public, so he has to "do his best" and appease all parties. They cannot take action against him now, and they also have to ensure that he will not be held accountable or retaliated against after he leaves the Shangshutai.

And 'resign yourself to fate' is the attitude of the palace.

The palace's dissatisfaction with Yang Biao was not due to Yang Biao's "inaction" after becoming prime minister, but because Yang Biao, as a third-generation official, and the Yang family were too deeply involved with the eunuch party, He Jin, the Yuan family, etc., and the relationship was too complicated.

If the palace always harbors suspicion or even resentment, Yang Biao will never be able to get away safely and peacefully.

"What do you think is the attitude of the palace?" Wang Lang asked softly after a long while.

Yang Biao blinked his eyes, expressionless, and said, "I can't guess. I tried to find out, but no one leaked the information."

Wang Lang's expression changed, his brows furrowed subconsciously, and he said, "So, either His Majesty didn't mention it. Or, he is keeping it a secret and dare not say more."

"I think so too."

Yang Biao appeared calm on the surface, but he was actually very nervous in his heart.

Once he was found guilty, the consequences would be unimaginable. Their Yang family, with three officials in four generations, might follow in the footsteps of the Yuan family.

There was another long silence. Wang Lang turned to look at Yang Biao and said, "Would you like to have a chat with Zhong Yao?"

Zhong Yao was widely considered to be the next prime minister to succeed Yang Biao, and was also Wang Lang's predecessor as the chief justice.

Yang Biao shook his head and said, "I have talked to the two Xuns, they probably won't do that. After all, if I am convicted, it will not be good for them. As for Zhong Yao, I heard that Liu Yu is going back to the capital."

Wang Lang was stunned and asked, "Mr. Liu is back in Beijing? Why? Where will he be assigned to work after he returns?"

Liu Yu was the Grand Marshal in the sixth year of Zhongping, and he was also a member of the royal family. In today's court and the public, his prestige was so great that it even surpassed that of Huangfu Song!

Before last year, Liu Yu was the popular candidate to succeed the prime minister, and was highly regarded by both the government and the public.

Yang Biao said: "I don't know."

Wang Lang seemed to be moved and said, "Now that I remember, it seems that the palace never mentioned that Zhong Yao would succeed him as prime minister?"

Yang Biao blinked his eyes, and suddenly came to his senses, and said, "You mean, Liu Yu?"

Wang Lang said unhappily, "At a time like this, are you still pretending to be stupid?"

Yang Biao forced a smile and said, "Forget it, let's take it one step at a time. As the saying goes, do your best and leave the rest to fate."

Wang Lang was still thinking about Liu Yu's return to the capital. If Liu Yu were to become prime minister, many things would be better.

Liu Yu has always been "fair", "steady", and "sensible", and is not the kind of person who would do anything radical.