Eight hundred and fortieth chapters palace fighting is not shabby
Things in the palace were often so confusing. Queen Fang did not appear too shocked, but she was still deep in thought.
In the palace, it is difficult to trust someone; if you trust the wrong person, the price will often be very heavy.
Seeing that Queen Fang didn't speak for a long time, Chen Hong became a little anxious and said angrily:
"I think what Eunuch Qin is doing is like an undercover agent! The previous groveling was probably just to defraud the empress! Now that he has obtained the authorization, his true colors have been exposed!"
Queen Fang came back to her senses and asked: "Then who do you think can instruct Eunuch Qin to be an undercover agent?"
Chen Hong also said casually in anger because he was treated with disdain by Eunuch Qin.
He just wanted to explain that Eunuch Qin was unreliable and untrustworthy in handling this matter, but he couldn't answer Empress Fang's rhetorical question.
If a person is an undercover agent, then this person must have another person who is truly loyal to him, but who in the palace is worthy of Eunuch Qin's loyalty at present?
The emperor was still in a coma, Empress Dowager Zhang herself did not have much power, and Zhang Zuo, the chief official of the Chief of Ceremonies, had been the enemy of the Qin eunuch for many years.
Although Eunuch Qin's behavior seems like that of an undercover agent, it doesn't make sense logically.
However, Chen Hong's words still gave Empress Fang a direction to think about. To say that she was instructed, Eunuch Qin was really ordered by one person, that is, the foreign minister Qin Dewei and Qin Zhongtang.
Regardless of whether it was money or any other exchange of benefits, it was Qin Dewei who instigated Eunuch Qin to find a way to attack the eunuch.
Therefore, it can be inferred that Qin Dewei must have believed that Eunuch Qin was reliable in handling this matter.
So the essence of the question is actually whether to trust Qin Dewei, or whether to trust Qin Dewei's judgment.
Thinking of this, Queen Fang's thoughts suddenly became clear.
Subjectively speaking, Qin Dewei may have always avoided suspicion, or he may have always avoided him on purpose, but there was absolutely no reason to harm his potential compatriot helper and...his former crush.
Objectively speaking, based on Qin Dewei's record in politics for many years, the probability of being stupid is very low, and the winning rate is completely worthy of belief.
After understanding these two points, Queen Fang told Chen Hong: "You continue to assist Eunuch Qin, but don't hinder him in his work first!"
Chen Hong was very surprised. He did not expect that the result of the complaint would be like this. Queen Fang actually chose to continue to believe Eunuch Qin.
In desperation, Chen Hong said worriedly: "Eunuch Qin paid ten thousand taels of gold to track down the clues of those who escaped!
What should we do if we are really dug out? At that time, it will be difficult to cover up."
At that time, several eunuchs who were armed with sticks and smashed them in Ciqing Palace were all instigated by Chen Hong, and their escape was also arranged by Chen Hong.
Originally, escaping from the palace was like looking for a needle in a haystack, difficult to find again. But the temptation of 10,000 taels was too great, which made Chen Hong feel uneasy.
If these people are dug out, the first person to be implicated may be Chen Hong himself, so Chen Hong cannot help but worry.
Queen Fang still said: "If you are asked to assist Eunuch Qin, just go and assist him. Watch carefully first, but don't hinder him!"
Empress Fang was very decisive in dealing with people, otherwise she would not have moved the palace and attacked her in order to compete for status.
When Qin Dewei saw the moving of the palace with his own eyes and heard about the beating of the stiles, he immediately chose to "kneel down". This was not a sudden sudden onset of intellect, nor was it caused by lust.
It's because Qin Zhongtang saw through these two things that Queen Fang was capable and skillful and worthy of "investment", so he decisively showed his favor.
Chen Hong's repeated persuasion was of no use and he had no choice but to come out from Queen Fang. He really couldn't understand what judgment Queen Fang had based on which made her trust Eunuch Qin so much, and she couldn't even listen to the advice of the old man next to him.
Went in.
Then Chen Hong went to Dongchang again, because Queen Fang ordered him to assist Eunuch Qin, and he had to go there, and he had to monitor Eunuch Qin responsibly!
When he arrived at Dongchang, Chen Hong was thinking about how to speak to Eunuch Qin.
After all, he left in anger this morning, and now he has returned after failing to file a complaint. He is a bit embarrassed about his face.
But immediately a scribe said to Chen Hong, "Qin Gong has ordered that when eunuch Chen arrives, please go to the back hall to meet him."
Now Chen Hong no longer had to think about it, he was led directly to the back hall of Dongchang, which made countless people frightened.
On the way, Chen Hong thought to himself, judging from the fact that Eunuch Qin took the initiative to invite him to meet him, even though Eunuch Qin might have different intentions, he still did not dare to completely break up with him at this time.
It is estimated that Eunuch Qin will pretend to be polite to him in order to numb himself, just like how Eunuch Qin pretended to comfort Zhang Zuo at the end yesterday.
Or after seeing that I really dare to file a complaint, I will be "better" to myself so that I can stop myself from complaining?
Chen Hongdu had seen this trick of first being arrogant and then being respectful once with his own eyes yesterday. How could he fall for it again today?
But if Eunuch Qin really plans to show mercy to him, should he take the opportunity to extort some personal benefits? One thousand taels of silver is not too much, right?
In the midst of his thoughts, Chen Hong saw Eunuch Qin sitting leisurely behind the public eucalyptus, holding a teacup in his hand and sipping tea.
Seeing Chen Hong come in, Eunuch Qin just raised his chin to the left hand side and said, "Come forward and talk!"
When ordinary people came in to see Eunuch Qin, those with lower status would kneel directly in front, while those with higher status could stand directly in front.
In the eyes of Eunuch Qin, being able to let others stand in front of the official and speak is enough to give him face.
But in Chen Hong's eyes, this was too much contempt for himself. He didn't ask to sit on an equal footing, but how could he not even provide a seat? It was also appropriate to stand up and show greeting etiquette, right?
Moreover, Eunuch Qin's demeanor was very scornful, completely contrary to Chen Hong's previous expectations, and there was no sign of any goodwill.
The huge contrast between the real situation and psychological expectations made Chen Hong, who was waiting to show off, a bit intolerable.
But thinking about his task of "assisting Eunuch Qin", Chen Hong, who was conscientious and conscientious, endured his anger, stood forward, and then said: "Master Qin, what else do you want to say?"
Eunuch Qin took a sip of tea soup, put down the tea cup, and said to Chen Hong in a mocking tone: "Didn't you go to complain to the empress? Why are you back again?"
Chen Hong tried his best to maintain a decent manner that was neither humble nor arrogant and replied: "I was ordered to assist Mr. Qin in running the event. The errand is not over yet. Of course I have to come to Dongchang."
Eunuch Qin stopped sarcastic and said, "Then follow the Queen's will! You can't be idle anymore. You and I should divide our work and do things separately!
I thought about it and found that your suggestion to start the investigation from the people in the palace is very reasonable, so I will leave the direction to you in the palace!
And I will be responsible for tracing the direction outside the palace, casting a net to chase those who escaped. In this way, you and I can focus on each other, and neither of us will be delayed!"
After thinking for a while, Chen Hong suggested: "The division of labor should be done, but we need to change it. I will be responsible for the direction outside the palace, and Mr. Qin will be responsible for the palace."
Eunuch Qin asked with a half-smile, "Why is this?"
Chen Hong replied: "Of course it's because it's harder outside the palace, and I'm younger and can take on more of the hard work."
In Chen Hong's heart, Xiao Jiujiu knew very clearly that those on the run outside the palace were the ones related to him!
If you are responsible for the direction outside the palace, if you really dig up clues, you still have a chance to "destroy the corpse and eliminate the traces" to prevent the real murderer from being found.
Eunuch Qin directly rejected Chen Hong's proposal, "There is no need to change it. It was you who proposed to investigate from the palace first. If it is not your responsibility, who will be responsible?"
Besides, the investigation outside the palace involves the mobilization of a large amount of manpower and material resources, which is originally Dongchang's business!
Are you, Chen Hong, sure that you have the ability to take command? Or do you, Chen Hong, want to take this opportunity to intervene in the affairs of the factory guards?"
Chen Hong was speechless, as Eunuch Qin's reasons made him unable to refute.
Suddenly, Eunuch Qin asked again: "You went to see the empress just now. What did the empress say?"
Chen Hong was not just a noob either. He said with great attitude: "Your Majesty said it to me and it is not appropriate to reveal it to Master Qin."
Eunuch Qin smiled and said sarcastically again: "You have returned to the East Factory conscientiously. It seems that the queen didn't say anything."
Although he was very upset, Chen Hong still tried hard to maintain his dignity and said: "No matter what the empress said, most of it has nothing to do with Master Qin. She just gave instructions and still asked me to assist Master Qin."
Eunuch Qin didn't take it seriously to Chen Hong's "uncooperation", as if to confirm again:
"Your Majesty didn't say anything about stopping me from tracking down those who were on the run outside the palace, right? Did she say that you would be responsible for tracking down those who were on the run?"
Chen Hong did not answer directly, but only said: "The empress has her own thoughts, and we are not allowed to speculate at will."
Eunuch Qin, who had not looked directly at Chen Hong just now, suddenly stood up and walked to Chen Hong. He sighed again and his eyes gradually became softer.
Chen Hong was confused. He didn't know why Eunuch Qin was so angry. He had just become accustomed to Eunuch Qin's scorn and ridicule, so why did he suddenly change his style?
Eunuch Qin shook his head, sighed again, then reached out and patted Chen Hong on the shoulder.
At this moment, Eunuch Qin's eyes changed from gentleness to sympathy and pity, and the rich changes in levels reached a peak.
"You are really..." Eunuch Qin stopped talking. After a pause, he reorganized his words: "Seeing you, I really feel like a rabbit is dead and a fox is sad. That's it. Think about it carefully!"
Immediately, Eunuch Qin walked away, leaving only Chen Hong who was confused.
What does it mean when a person like Eunuch Qin suddenly begins to sympathize with himself?
Chen Hong tried his best to recall his previous conversation with Eunuch Qin. Eunuch Qin's last sentence was: "My Majesty did not say to stop me from tracking down those who are at large outside the palace, nor did she say that you would be responsible for tracking down those who are at large."
Thinking back to Eunuch Qin's sudden sympathy after saying this, Chen Hong suddenly had a very terrible idea.
Is he about to become a "scapegoat"?
To put it bluntly, did Queen Fang intend to sacrifice her "black glove"? Otherwise, why would she let Eunuch Qin go after the fugitives outside the palace?
If all the blame is placed on himself, and he happens to shut up forever, then all the insiders who criticized her will truly disappear, and Empress Fang will be completely safe.
Moreover, because Empress Fang believed in Eunuch Qin so much, had she concealed any cooperation intention with Eunuch Qin from herself?
Is there any intention to cooperate that needs to be hidden from a trusted eunuch like himself?
Chen Hong tried his best to stop himself from thinking like this, but some bad thoughts still emerged uncontrollably from his mind.
In such a perverted environment in the palace, I have witnessed too many heartless things since I was a child.
Sacrificing a "chess piece" is really nothing special. Chen Hong didn't dare to be sure that the queen would not do this.
He really wanted to ask Queen Fang if she thought so. But he didn't dare, or even couldn't ask at all.
He was the only one who dared to ask Queen Fang, which was equivalent to publicly stating that Queen Fang was suspicious, and even if it was false, it would become true. Because as a slave, he had no right to doubt his master.
But without asking or verifying, Chen Hong could not completely eliminate the doubts deep in his heart.
If ordinary people encounter this kind of thing, they will encounter it, and the consequences will be nothing more than being dumped and shouldering the responsibility.
But in a place like the palace, where swords are shining and swords are shining, if an eunuch encounters something like this, the consequence is often his life.
Chen Hong just followed the division of labor and casually searched the palace for a day. He was confused and didn't know what he found.
When he went to Dongchang to write writing materials, he walked to the front yard and suddenly saw two people being tied up and pushed into Dongchang. Their heads were covered with thick cloths, and their faces could not be seen clearly.
Afterwards, Chen Hong heard Qian Shu, who was handling the handover formalities, sigh: "Sure enough, there must be brave men under the heavy rewards. I didn't expect that the clues to the Ciqing Palace sill shooting incident would be caught so quickly from the surrounding counties."
Chen Hong's heart immediately "thumped" and then started beating wildly.
Under the severe torture in Dongchang, the person who was arrested couldn't bear it, so would he be implicated?
Once you are implicated, what will happen next? Before you can make a voice, you will naturally become a victim?
With the fear of death in his heart, Chen Hong couldn't stand it anymore and didn't dare to gamble. After thinking of an idea, he immediately left Dongchang.
After receiving the information, Eunuch Qin smiled slightly, got up and went to Renshou Palace in Xiyuan, where he spent the whole night begging to see Queen Fang.
Queen Fang was unprepared and was shocked and said: "What? Chen Hong just went to Zhang Zuo's foreign residence?"
The great eunuchs all have foreign residences, and Zhang Zuo, as the chief eunuch, must also have his seal.
Moreover, the emperor has been in coma recently, and the management of the palace has become a lot laxer. Many eunuchs have begun to dislike the poor conditions of their wives and often stay in other houses.
Eunuch Qin said with great certainty: "It's absolutely true, the Dongchang spy saw it with his own eyes! Chen Hong did indeed enter Zhang Zuo's foreign residence!
It was originally for safety reasons, so we arranged for people to keep an eye on our key figures while doing business, but I didn't expect that it would actually yield such results."
Queen Fang simply couldn't understand: "Why is he like this?"
Eunuch Qin hid his merit and fame, and said innocently: "I don't know what he thinks, but this matter is really important, and I have to report it to the empress overnight."
Empress Fang was a little panicked. The eunuchs she trusted were so unreliable, so the only one she could rely on now was the eunuch Qin in front of her?
Eunuch Qin waited patiently for instructions. Everyone thought Zhang Zuo was his primary target. In fact, his own Chen Hong was the real primary target.
Only by cheating Chen Hong would he be able to gain a position beside Queen Fang and replace Chen Hong as the most trusted eunuch.
Palace fighting, if it's not shabby, what's the point of cheating one's own people?