Chapter 8

  Left Chancellor's Mansion in the Capital City.

  "His Excellency, someone from home just arrived and said that Second Master has been arrested by the local county magistrate. It's even rumored that he'll be executed after autumn." The steward reported. Li Zhong asked: "What is the reason? Did you ask clearly?" Steward: "It seems to be because of that old case, this time because the mother of the scapegoat blocked the sedan chair and shouted injustice, the new county magistrate reopened the case. Should we get in touch with Minister Liu of the Ministry of Punishment and have him intervene, and also let the Ministry of Personnel remove that county magistrate?"

  Li Zhong hesitated for a moment and asked: "What's the background of that new county magistrate?"

  Housekeeper: "It seems like he doesn't have any backing, he's a self-made official, but there's something strange..."

  "What's going on?"

  Housekeeper: "Someone saw people from the Right Chancellor's residence appearing at the county yamen gate..."

  Li Zhong: "Are you sure?"

  Housekeeper: "It should be correct, I heard from Little Li that there are three people, namely the second son and third daughter of Lin Xiang, as well as a middle-aged scholar, who is probably Lin Xiang's staff member Yue Zhen."

  Li Zhong nodded and began to pace back and forth. After a while, he said: "It seems that things are not quite right, the Emperor has been increasingly dissatisfied with me lately, and Lin Xiang is always secretly attacking me. During this time, we cannot make any mistakes, otherwise the consequences will be unimaginable. Tell Liu Shangshu to handle it according to the law, but change the death penalty to exile."

  Housekeeper: "Why don't we send him to Gan Zhou? That's our place, and the young master won't have to suffer."

  Li Zhong: "Alright, you go and handle it then. Oh, by the way, what's the name of that county magistrate?"

  Housekeeper: "His name is Leng Wuwei."

  The Right Chancellor's Mansion in the Capital City.

  "Master Xiang, this is a good opportunity. The official documents from Tianyang County will arrive in a few days. Why don't we take advantage of this chance..." said Yue Zhen.

  Lin Tianyuan: "In the few days you've been away, there have been new changes in the imperial court. Although the Emperor wants to get rid of Li Zhong, he's also afraid that if he falls, another Li Zhong will appear. So it's best we don't interfere with this matter unless he really dares to be reckless. At that time, the Imperial Envoy will impeach him."

  Yue Zhen: "But I think Li Xiang should be very cautious at this moment. Will he abandon his pawns to save his chariot?"

  Lin Tianyuan: "No, he is a very biased person. I think he should commute his death sentence to exile."

  Yue Zhen: "If it's exile, it must be Gan Zhou, because Qian Shengguang is his man, and he is stationed in a place with fewer wars. With Li Xiang's character, he will not let his own son suffer too much."

  Lin Tianyuan: "Well, I think so too. That old man is too fond of being arrogant, sooner or later he will get his comeuppance."

  Yue Zhen said, "Prime Minister, the position of Governor of Gan Zhou is vacant. Why don't we find someone who is not one of us but also not on good terms with Left Prime Minister's side and send him there? Occasionally, we can provoke them a bit. If Left Prime Minister kills that person under some pretext, wouldn't we be able to accuse him of revenge and abuse of power in front of the Emperor?"

  Lin Tianyuan: "Alright, I'll report it to the Emperor tomorrow. Who do you think is most suitable to go?"

  "Indifferent and uninvolved."

  …………………

  Tianyang County government office. "Tian Da, you little rascal, where did you run off to? What are we having for lunch today?" shouted Leng Wuwei.

  At this time, Tian Da rushed in from outside, "It's not good, the officials from the Ministry of Justice have arrived, Lord Leng should go to greet them quickly." Leng Wuwei's mind started to wonder, yesterday the Ministry of Punishment sent a document agreeing to his memorial, but changed the death penalty to exile, which made Leng Wuwei feel a chill run down his spine, however this was also something he had expected.

  "Tian Da, where is the person from the Ministry of Rites now?"

  "It's cold outside, but others are right in the main hall."

  "Hurry up and bring me my official robes..."

  Two people hastily arrived at the main hall. "I don't know, sir, that you have descended upon our humble county, and I'm afraid we didn't welcome you from afar, please forgive us." Cold Wuji said with a quivering voice. "Cold County Magistrate, I am specially here for you." This person was a sixth-grade official in the capital, surnamed Guo. In the capital, he would bow to anyone, but today he finally came out and of course wanted to show off his authority.

  Leng Wuwei rubbed his waist and said: "Master official, I don't know what this humble officer has done wrong?"

  "Here is an official document from the Ministry of Personnel, take a look."

  Here is the translation:

  "By order of Tianyang County Magistrate Leng Wuwei, since taking office, he has worked diligently and won the hearts of the people. He is hereby promoted to be the Prefect of Ganzhou, effective immediately, without delay. Ministry of Officials." "Sir, I don't quite understand, I've only just taken office for a month, how can I be sent to Ganzhou so quickly?" "Some things don't need reasons, just follow orders and do as told." Wuwei's eyes flickered, and he had an idea.