Cai Jing was stunned again, and began to doubt the guess he had just made.
Could it be that Yan Song was behind this?
Guan Peng and Wang Mang have an incompatible relationship. Even if Wang Mang wants to spread news, he will never do it through Guan Peng.
And it is unlikely that Guan Peng followed the emperor's order to spread the news.
Did he do it spontaneously?
But where did he hear this news?
Cai Jing gritted his teeth and thought of a possibility.
Cai Jing and Han Mulu were both in the household department. Could it be that Han Mulu accidentally leaked the information and then got it by Guan Peng.
Guan Peng obviously did not have the responsibility or idea to keep the Cai Party secret, so he directly revealed the matter.
As for Su Ling'a at the back, this person is a person who doesn't take things too seriously. He always talks nonsense everywhere. Now that this kind of thing has happened to him, how can he not talk about it everywhere?
Moreover, Cai Jing also doubted whether the emperor was behind this incident, otherwise the rumors would not have spread so quickly.
Thinking of this, Cai Jing clenched his fists.
This rumor is becoming more and more confusing. Just listening to other people's descriptions of Cai Jing came up with three possibilities. If the investigation really continues, there may be some messy clues...
After Deng Xunwu finished speaking, he looked at Cai Jing's increasingly ugly expression and hurriedly changed the subject: "Sir, it's not like I did nothing while waiting outside."
He knows that it's best to talk about your actions at this time, lest the boss treat you as a waste who has accomplished nothing and only knows how to fish in the water.
"At that time, Shilang Gao and I wanted to join forces with all the lords to put pressure on His Majesty and Zhongshu Sheng, so that they would not dare to do anything to you, Lord Song, and Lord Han."
"But at that time, many of the six ministers believed the rumor, and some of them even changed their attitude towards us because of this, and even prepared to watch our fun."
Recalling everything that happened that day, a look of helplessness appeared on Deng Xunwu's face.
Even Lu Yin, the right minister of the Ministry of War, who had the best attitude, looked at each other coldly because Cai Jing was in charge of the Ministry of War.
As for when I went to find Yan Lide, I didn't even see his face.
Cai Jing frowned when he heard this.
When he was vying to be the chief examiner of the general examination, he laid out so many games just to win over the hearts and minds of the six ministers and firmly control the six ministers in Cai Jing's hands.
But who could have imagined that all his previous efforts would be in vain in just one trial.
Cai Jing was not unaware that giving the position of deputy examiner to Han Mulu would inevitably cause dissatisfaction among the other ministers.
But he also had a backup plan, and Cai Jing was confident that he could smooth over, or at least suppress, the dissatisfaction of the ministers.
When the candidate for deputy examiner was determined, Cai Jing secretly approached Lu Yin, the right minister of the Ministry of War, and personally promised that when the deputy examiner was selected for the next subject examination, he would gather all the power of Cai's party to support his candidacy for deputy examiner.
Yan Lide and several other ministers also had some arrangements, but Cai Jing could not explain it clearly at the time, nor could he explain such things clearly.
Originally, he planned to wait until the examination was over, and then take action one by one to give these people corresponding benefits. Cai Jing had already thought about who and how to arrange it.
But who would have thought that the plan could not keep up with the changes.
Before he could take action, Cai's party suffered such a shocking change.
Deng Xunwu continued: "The other ministers refused to help, and you, Mr. Han, and Mr. Song were already in the Gongyuan at that time. With the strength of Mr. Gao and I alone, we couldn't make the other adults obey..."
Having said this, he glanced at Cai Jing cautiously.
Wherever there are people, there will be struggles, including within the Cai Party, which is also divided into small factions.
Cai Jing nodded expressionlessly: "So you asked You'er to come forward and help you do this?"
"Your Majesty, the candle is too late." Deng Xunwu hurriedly replied with his hands in hand.
Cai You is Cai Jing's eldest son. More importantly, he is Song Qiaonian's son-in-law and Han Mulu's nephew.
With this kind of relationship, no matter what small faction he belongs to, he will give him face and listen to him honestly.
"It is said that a tiger father has no dog son. The eldest son has the air of an adult and is calm and steady. With him, things have gone much smoother."
Deng Xunwu flattered you first, and then added: "Your Excellency was not here at the time, so we wanted to deter the imperial court so that they would not dare to attack you, Your Excellency."
"On the other side, we need to create some trouble quickly and shift the focus of the court as soon as possible. In this way, the court and your majesty will not dare to let the Gongyuan fraud take away too much energy."
Cai Jing nodded imperceptibly. This was a good idea, but...
"I just didn't expect that His Majesty and Qin Hui would take action so quickly, right?"
"Yes, sir."
Deng Xunwu looked ashamed: "That day, Shilang Gao and I wanted to make trouble at the court meeting, but we didn't expect that His Majesty seemed to have been prepared for it."
"He said at the time that he had found evidence in the Gongyuan and identified the person behind the scenes, and that he would be settled soon."
"Master Gao and I were caught off guard, and we didn't know how to delay it at all."
Gao Xun also nodded with a look of sadness on his face. It was obvious that he still remembered that court meeting freshly.
Cai Jing also let out a long sigh after hearing this.
Evidence found!
The most fatal part of the whole thing was this, which directly sealed their defeat!
Having this thing means that at least one person will be lost.
"Shilang Han's plans are not secret..." Cai Jing shook his head and sighed, feeling extremely regretful.
"Sir, I always feel that this matter is a bit strange."
Gao Xun suddenly said from the side: "Li Yuan and Wei Zheng found the evidence and did not reveal it on the spot, but they waited until so late to let others know. Could this so-called evidence be... forged by them?"
Cai Jing glanced at him and then shook his head: "It's unlikely."
"As far as I know, among the censors who went to search that day were Wei Zheng and Bao Xuan. No matter who forged the evidence, it should not be hidden from the eyes of these two people."
"Then what if it's the two of them..." Halfway through Gao Xun's words, his voice became smaller and smaller.
Cai Jing also sighed softly, sometimes even as opponents, you have to admit the character of these two people.
"And Li Yuan also went there that day. If someone really forged evidence, he would definitely stop it on my behalf."
"This..." Deng Xunwu and Gao Xun looked at each other, and both saw a flash of hesitation in the other's eyes.
They thought that after this incident, Cai's party would break with the government.
But looking at the current situation, Mr. Cai still has great confidence in Li Yuan? Why is this?
You must know that Li Yuan was in charge of the entire examination, and Wei Zheng was only his deputy in name. In other words, the Cai Party suddenly lost two ministers, and this was directly related to Li Yuan.
Cai Jing also saw their doubts, but at the moment he was not in the mood to explain to these two people, but turned his head and looked out the window.
"We're at the Han Mansion now. If it's true evidence, just ask Lu Cai."
The sedan suddenly stopped in front of the Han Mansion. This time, the general guarding the door was more understanding. Without saying anything, he led Cai Jing and others in.
After meeting Han Mulu, his reaction was even worse than that of Song Qiaonian, and he almost burst into tears on the spot.
Cai Jing stared at Han Mulu closely: "Lu Cai, tell me what the evidence is about?"
Deng Xunwu and Gao Jun also looked at him intently, obviously feeling that this matter was very strange. In any case, Han Mulu was a third-rank minister in the officialdom. How could he make such a low-level mistake?
"Evidence..." Han Mulu opened his mouth with sadness on his face.
"There are no outsiders here, just tell the truth." Cai Jing said sternly.
"Yes, sir."
Han Mulu trembled, and then said sadly: "As for the evidence, my subordinates didn't know about it at first."
"Meals were sent to my family that day, but I was suffering from abdominal cramps at that time, so I didn't open the food box..."
Speaking of this, Han Mulu shed two more tears in his eyes: "But who would have thought that the Tiger Guards would search the Gongyuan that day!"
"The official didn't have time to make any preparations, so he was pulled out of the official residence by them, and then...then..."
"Then they searched out the things you hadn't seen yet." Cai Jing sighed, covered his face and sat back on the chair.
"The first time you get the food, whether you want to eat it or not, you should check it all and then burn it!"
"Sir, I understand, I understand..."
Han Mulu cried so hard that he collapsed on the ground and pulled Cai Jing's legs, crying bitterly: "Can I have another chance..."
Cai Jing stared at him, and after a long time, he slowly shook his head: "If the king is not secretive, he will lose his ministers, and if the minister is not secretive, he will lose himself. Lu Cai, people like you and me only have one chance. Once we make a mistake, everything will fall at our feet."
abyss."
Han Mulu was crying and wanted to say something else, but Cai Jing continued expressionlessly: "If you can save your life this time and escape unharmed, it is already God's favor. If I still force you to stay in the imperial court, a place of right and wrong,
, I’m afraid you won’t be so lucky next time.”
After this incident, he has come to understand that Han Mulu has become old and is really not suitable to continue to stay in the court.
"grown ups……"
Han Mulu opened his mouth and wanted to struggle again.
As long as people have tasted the taste of power, they will never forget that wonderful taste. How difficult is it for them to let go?
Cai Jing ignored his plea and asked about another matter.
"Lu Cai, let me ask you, the deputy examiner has made an appointment for you, have you ever told anyone about it?"
Han Mulu was stunned for a moment, then shook his head like a wave drum and said like a curse: "No, absolutely not."
"No?"
Cai Jing frowned: "If you think about it again, have you ever mentioned this matter to the Ministry of Household Affairs?"
"I……"
When Cai Jing asked this question, Han Mulu himself began to doubt himself, frowning and falling into thought.
Seeing him like this, Cai Jing frowned even more tightly.
"I...should be..."
A few drops of sweat appeared on Han Mulu's forehead, but he still shook his head.
"Did your subordinates know about it, or someone from Guan Peng knew about it?"
"I……"
It was such a long time ago that Han Mulu seemed to have forgotten many details. Now being questioned by Cai Jing, he gradually fell into self-doubt.
"Sir... there shouldn't be..."
Cai Jing looked at him and softened his expression a little. He patted his shoulder and said, "Lu Cai, I just asked. I didn't mean to blame you."
Han Mulu became anxious, straightened his eyes and defended himself: "Sir, I really didn't..."
"Okay."
Cai Jing interrupted him with a wave of his hand: "Whether you have it or not, I won't pursue it this time. The past is like a cloud, so it's over!"
"The Point Guard Is Here"
Han Mulu's face darkened. In the final analysis, it was Cai Jing who didn't believe him.
But this is correct. Now that Han Mulu has reached this point and is about to retire from officialdom, what's the point of being more serious?
"Yes, sir."
Han Mulu secretly nodded and said no more.
Cai Jingze sighed, confirming his suspicion.
First, he accidentally leaked the information and Guan Peng found out, and then he left such a big clue and was found by Huben Guards. It seems that Han Mulu is really old...
No matter how good it is, if he can go back intact and without jail time, he is already better than most officials.
"Lu Cai, take your family and go to my house."
"Let's settle down for a few days. In a few days, I will send someone to escort you back to your hometown."
Han Mulu and Cai Jing are fellow villagers, and they will definitely be rich and prosperous when they return home.
"Thank you, sir."
Cai Jing shook his head and said nothing more. Instead, he and Xuanwu Gaoxun left the Han Mansion and rushed all the way to the imperial city.
The three of them sat on the sedan, and Cai Jing thought of the conversation just now.
"You just said that you wanted to hold the court back and create trouble. What kind of trouble was that?"
Deng Xunwu was startled and said hurriedly: "Master Gao and I originally wanted to stir up civil strife in Qi, but unexpectedly, the situation in Qi was a bit confusing and difficult to shake for a while."
"The situation was very critical at that time, so we thought of a desperate solution."
"burn one's boats?"
Cai Jing's eyes flashed with solemnity: "Tell me carefully."
"Yes, sir."
Deng Xunwu bowed his head and said: "When the Ming Dynasty's mission came to the capital at the end of the year, Xiaguan and Mr. Gao had made good friends with several generals. Later, Xianguan found out that one of them was rotated to the border garrison by the Ming Dynasty after the year."
"And the place where he is stationed is close to the northeastern border of the imperial court..."
At this point, Cai Jing had roughly guessed their plan.
Deng Xunwu looked at Cai Jing tentatively: "Since the matter is over now, should I lower the official to summon him again and tell him to cancel the matter..."
Cai Jing glanced at him: "Why cancel?"
"Sir..." Deng Xunwu didn't know what to say.
Cai Jing snorted coldly: "In any case, this trial was a battle between the enemy and the enemy, which is why we suffered such a big loss!"
"This time the enemy is overt and we are hidden. I have the upper hand. No matter what, I will make them fall even bigger!"
A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he said bitterly: "Even if the court changes in the end, I can still be the prime minister, but I don't believe they can still do this!"