Emperor Shang, who returned to Yangxin Hall, always felt uneasy.
I don't know what words were written in front of the desk. At this time, there was a knock on the door outside the palace. Emperor Shang knew who it was and said casually: "Come in."
Tan Zhonghe was bent over like an ostrich and did not dare to raise his head.
When I came to the desk, I saw the word "kill" in big letters, and I couldn't help but feel chilled in my heart.
"Your Majesty, just now in the main hall, I didn't dare to ask. Now that I see the big characters written by Your Majesty, I don't dare to ask..."
Emperor Shang raised his eyebrows and his eyes swayed: "What? Even you doubt my decision?"
Tan Zhonghe knelt down quickly, sweating on his forehead, and trembling all over: "Your Majesty, forgive me, how could I, my servant He De, doubt your Majesty! I would not dare to give you a hundred courages!"
Emperor Shang smiled, took a step forward to the desk, and helped Tan Zhonghe up: "Tan Zhonghe, I know you are not a real eunuch, you are just pretending, you don't have to act like this in front of me, everyone is
Qi cultivators, it’s just that I am the emperor. If I were not the emperor, you may not be so pious!"
Emperor Shang's words made Tan Zhonghe's legs weaken even more, and he knelt on the ground with a thud: "Your Majesty, it seems that this slave has come at the wrong time. If you want to beat or punish this slave, please do as you please. Please calm down and don't do anything."
I’m so angry!”
Tan Zhonghe spoke in a low voice, looking at the floor with his eyes twitching constantly.
"I know that Zhang Binghuan was your best friend in the early years, and I also know that you personally taught his son's skills and cultivation. Do you think I don't know anything? There are few things in the world that escape my ears. Besides, you guys
You are my subject again, haha!"
Tan Zhonghe was shocked. He never expected that Emperor Shang would know so clearly about his affairs. He hurriedly kowtowed several times and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is a long story!"
Emperor Shang looked at Tan Zhonghe's timid appearance and snorted: "If you say a long story, just shorten it. I don't have time to listen to your family's long vacation and short days!"
Tan Zhonghe looked back, knelt down and came to the front of the hall and closed the door.
"Your Majesty! Zhang Binghuan cannot be killed!"
Emperor Shang sat on the chair behind the desk indifferently: "Why?"
"Your Majesty! Zhang Binghuan, as the patriarch of the Zhang family, is not only the pillar of the Shang Kingdom, but also the power behind the Zhang family cannot be underestimated. I was just a young disciple of the Tianjian Sect before. No matter what, I will not be under your Majesty's control.
He works as a eunuch next to him, and the reason why the slave has his current position and is not afraid of His Majesty's anger is all because of Zhang Binghuan!"
"Zhang Binghuan has the support of the Rune Master behind him. In the Xiuqi Continent, everyone knows it. If you want the Shang Kingdom to be successful, in addition to relying on His Majesty's wisdom, you must also rely on the Zhang family!"
After Tan Zhonghe finished speaking, he seemed to be relieved. He breathed heavily and buried his head deeply.
Emperor Shang thought for a while, stood up from his chair, and stood in front of the palace for a long time. Then he looked back at Tan Zhonghe and asked doubtfully: "Tan Zhonghe, I know you were recommended by Zhang Binghuan, who is a member of the imperial family."
Zhu, of course I can trust you, you said this and I won’t shirk the blame, but you said that he has the support of the rune master behind him, so why is it that his son was hit by the puppet spell, but he, as a father, can do nothing!"
Emperor Shang's eyes gradually became confused. Tan Zhonghe glanced briefly, and then responded hurriedly: "Your Majesty, you don't know. The rune master behind Zhang Binghuan is the one the slave just mentioned in the hall. He should be there now."
In Xihuan; and if Your Majesty kills the whole Zhang family, I think this rune master will come back in a short time, and by then I am afraid that Master will not be his opponent!"
Emperor Shang listened to Tan Zhonghe's words with his hands behind his back, his heart sank, and then he lowered his head, as if he was thinking seriously about something.
Tan Zhonghe looked at Emperor Shang's back. Although he was still a little panicked, he was still confident in persuading Emperor Shang.
"My decree has been issued. If you want me to take back my life, I'm afraid I can't do it. But if it is as you said, Zhang Binghuan has the support of the rune master behind him, then I have to ask someone, please go down first.
, Zhang Binghuan’s execution must at least wait until the Inspection Department finds out clearly before deciding when to execute it. There should be some time during this period!”
In the Shang Kingdom, all systems are simple, but also relatively complex. Except for the disposal of officials, the Shang Emperor has the final say in all matters. However, the disposal of officials involves Qi cultivators on the Qi Cultivation Continent, and even more involves the Haotian Pavilion and other institutions.
There are people outside the Shang Kingdom, so they need to investigate clearly to avoid hurting innocent people. If a loyal sect in Xiuqi Continent is accidentally killed, no one can say what kind of trouble it will cause; so in the early years, the Inspection Department
This department has already been established, and its purpose is to bring things right out of chaos and correct mistakes in a timely manner. When Emperor Shang said this just now, he was actually giving time to Tan Zhonghe and Zhang Binghuan.
After hearing this, Tan Zhonghe suddenly realized, knocked a few more times, and hurriedly ran out.
"Someone is coming!"
After Emperor Shang saw Tan Zhonghe leaving, he called two guards outside the palace.
Emperor Shang put one hand on his waist and said to the two guards: "Go! Call me Li Cunshan from Tianwenyuan! He told me that I have something urgent. No matter what he is doing, he must be called over!"
After hearing this, the two guards looked at each other in bewilderment and looked at Emperor Shang, then knelt down and said: "Your Majesty! Only Your Majesty can enter and exit the Tianwen Garden. I'm afraid we don't have this authority!"
After hearing this, Emperor Shang laughed out loud: "Haha, I almost forgot, na! This is my token. You can wear this token and go to Tianwen Garden. Remember to leave as soon as possible and come back as soon as possible, and try not to let other people in.
Saw your whereabouts!"
After receiving the token, the two guards said softly: "Your Majesty, please rest assured. We must be careful. If we are discovered, we will die for our country."
After hearing this, Emperor Shang wanted to tell them that it was okay to be seen by others, but before he could speak, the two guards had disappeared before his eyes.
Emperor Shang shook his head, walked to the main seat in the hall, looked at one of the tablets next to the main seat, his face gradually darkened and he said to himself: "I know you are also listening, and I don't know if I am doing the right thing.
, still wrong.”
After Tan Zhonghe left the Yangxin Hall, he hurried out of the imperial city and rushed to the Inspection Department.
The gate of the Inspection Department is gloomy and terrifying. Many people do not dare to get close to this department in the imperial city, and sometimes even do not dare to take a peek.
There are two statues placed on both sides in front of the gate. Perhaps because of the time, the statues have become muddy.
Tan Zhonghe, dressed in blue casual clothes, hurried to the door. Just as he was about to knock on the door, the door suddenly moved, and a disciple in official uniform walked out.
"Sir Tan Zhonghe? What are you doing?"
The common people may not know his identity, but everyone who has been to court has seen it. This disciple asked with a smile: "It's noon, everyone is having lunch, why did Mr. Tan suddenly come to inspect me?"
manage?"
Tan Zhonghe looked at the people coming and going behind him. He didn't need to be so polite to a disciple, so he said with great disdain: "Since you know who I am, a disciple shouldn't say too much here. I have something to do with your department director."
Let’s talk, please make it easier!”
The disciple responded disdainfully: "Even if you are a popular person and close friend of His Majesty, it will not help you in front of the gate of the Inspection Department. I think you have known for a long time that the Inspection Department is above everyone else."
, even if His Majesty wants to enter, he must inform you in advance, let alone you, a mere eunuch beside His Majesty!"
The words spoken by the disciple were very harsh, but as a eunuch, Tan Zhonghe was already used to it. Looking at the anger on his disciple's face, he slowly walked up the steps and slowly put his left hand into his arms.
"Don't you understand what I said?"
"This is twenty taels of gold. You should know that the palace's gold cannot be spent. Take a closer look at what this gold is."
Tan Zhonghe narrowed his eyes.
After the disciple took the gold, he held it in his hand and looked at it seriously: "This! This is not palace gold, how could you have it? You have no chance to restrain this in the palace, even if you restrain it, it will still be the official's palace gold, why..."
"
Tan Zhonghe slowly pushed his disciple's hands back: "In this world, for you ordinary people, gold is more important than anything else. As a disciple of the Inspection Department, how much money can you save throughout the year? As long as you let me in and
If we meet the director, the benefits in the future will be yours!"
Tan Zhonghe spoke in a very kind tone, and what he said was very tempting. The disciple's eyes moved slightly, and then he glanced at the corner of his mouth: "Haha, I didn't expect Master Tan Zhonghe to value human relations and sophistication so much. Well, you can follow me.
Come!"
Tan Zhonghe followed his disciples to the director's hall and saw the director sitting on the main seat talking with a minister.
"Please wait here for a while and I'll report it!"
Tan Zhonghe glanced sideways at the minister and recognized who he was at a glance, so he nodded and murmured to himself: "As expected, His Majesty is not the only one who wants Zhang Binghuan dead...
"
The disciple walked gently to the director and whispered: "Sir, there is someone waiting outside the door. It is Tan Zhonghe, the eunuch beside Emperor Shang!"
The director's eyes became deep and he said to himself: "Your Majesty didn't want Zhang Binghuan to kill everyone in his family and leave no one behind. Why did Tan Zhonghe come?"
"Okay, you ask him to wait in the living room, I will go later!"
So, the disciple brought Tan Zhonghe to the living room: "Master said, let you wait here for a while."
When Tan Zhonghe saw his disciple about to leave, he immediately stopped him: "I know who your master will talk to again. I just want to know why that person came? Is that person also interested in Zhang Binghuan?"
After hearing this, the disciple kept staring at Tan Zhonghe's arms.
"This is the last ten taels of gold. I don't have more than that now!" Tan Zhonghe knew what he meant and took out another ten taels of gold from his arms. Looking at his disciple's greedy look, he felt very disgusted in his heart.
"Master Sun came here this time indeed for Zhang Binghuan's matter. He should be trying to persuade our master to convict him quickly without retrial. As for why? I have no way of knowing. I'm just a disciple and can't get too close. Besides, I'm here.
But Mr. Sun, that is the head of the country!"
Of course Tan Zhonghe knew who it was. He waved his hand to let the disciples leave first, and then he began to figure it out carefully, thinking to himself: What does Master Sun mean? From the perspective of a qi cultivator, Zhang Binghuan should be
The Rune Master behind him is the greatest weapon against Haotian Patriarch, but he is so anxious to let him die. Could it be that Lord Sun is also a spy of Haotian Pavilion?
Just when he was thinking about it, a person walked into the living room, but Tan Zhonghe didn't pay attention at all.
"Hey! Aren't these the famous people around His Majesty, Tan Zhong and Master Tan!"
When Tan Zhonghe saw that it was the director, he stood up quickly and bowed respectfully: "My slave Tan Zhonghe takes the liberty of asking for an audience. Please don't take offense, sir!"
The director's expression immediately became serious when he saw Tan Zhonghe bowing.
"Master Tan! You suddenly came to our inspection department because of Zhang Binghuan?"
Tan Zhonghe straightened up and looked at him. He was startled. He didn't expect that the Secretary-General was so direct. After thinking about it, it was a good thing to save some twists and turns, so he smiled politely: "The Secretary-General is said to be outspoken.
, now it seems that this is really the case, since the master is straight to the point, then the slave will tell the truth. "
"Your Majesty wants all the Zhang family members of Zhang Binghuan to be executed, but at the same time, the inspection department also needs to have enough evidence. Otherwise, Zhang Binghuan, as the pillar of the country, died tragically for no reason, and the world will inevitably be suspicious. This will not only affect your Majesty, but also your Majesty.
Shangguo is not very good, I wonder if Mr. Director understands it!"
After listening to Tan Zhonghe's words, the director hesitated, paused for a moment, and then said expressionlessly: "To be honest, Mr. Sun, the head of state, also came to talk to me about this matter just now, and what he said was that His Majesty wanted to
Let me execute Zhang Binghuan’s whole family immediately. Who are you right and wrong? I’m really confused now!”
Tan Zhonghe had actually guessed that Mr. Sun would do this, otherwise he would not suddenly come to inspect the division. He smiled and said to the director: "Why Mr. Sun is here, I don't want to know, and I am not qualified."
I know, but what I said are His Majesty’s intentions. I think the Secretary-General should know very well who has been by His Majesty’s side the longest, and who has had the most conversations with His Majesty…”
After Tan Zhonghe said this, he bowed again and took a step sideways towards the door of the living room.
The director didn't expect Tan Zhong to speak so clearly and neatly to this person. He didn't say a few words before he was about to leave. So he quickly changed his attitude and asked with a fake smile: "Master Tan said this, it really makes the veteran
I’m afraid, it’s His Majesty who said he wanted to execute Zhang Binghuan’s family, and it’s His Majesty who’s looking for enough evidence. So, is Your Majesty going to let Zhang Binghuan die or live?”
After Tan Zhonghe opened the door to the living room, he listened to the director's question and said in a low voice: "The inspection department headed by the director is above anyone else. I think the director has his own ideas on how to do it."
Intend!"
Then he walked out.
The remaining director sat down slowly in front of the table in the living room. What he didn't understand now was that the crime committed by Zhang Binghuan should be to try to assassinate His Majesty in the palace, and this evidence would eventually have to be asked to His Majesty.
This is obviously an endless loop. Does your Majesty want me to stall for time?
The director was a smart man and had figured out His Majesty's wishes, but Sun Guozhang put pressure on him and asked him to execute it immediately, which instantly put him in a dilemma.
After the disciple saw Tan Zhonghe leaving, he hurried to the living room door and knocked.
"grown ups!"
The disciple originally wanted to go in and ask about the situation, but just as he was about to speak, the director shouted in the living room: "Go and bring Zhang Binghuan here. I have something to ask him personally!"