Chapter 158 Cage
Under the sunset.

Zhang Zhuo would ride his horse and bump into Wang Daosheng from time to time, but Wang Daosheng would calmly avoid him.

The former is like a volcano that can erupt at any time, and the latter is like a hidden iceberg. They have nothing to do with each other, but they just happen to be together.

Chen Ji was puzzled: "Master Zhang is usually like this..."

The word "childish" was never uttered out loud.

Zhang Xia reached out and stroked Zaozao's back hair, and said with a smile: "Father is usually very powerful and rarely acts like this. I guess the other party must be Mr. Wang, so he acted like this."

Chen Ji was even more confused: "Why is this?"

Zhang Xia thought for a moment and said, "My father once said that Mr. Wang is a gentleman. I guess he doesn't have to be as cautious as usual when facing Mr. Wang. Although Mr. Wang doesn't agree with him, he will never harm him."

Chen Ji sighed softly: "That's great."

Zhang Zhuo and Wang Daosheng did not quarrel for long.

Zhang Zhuo gradually calmed down. He sat on his horse, looking at the setting sun, and sighed, "The landscape is so picturesque. It would be great if the world could be peaceful."

He suddenly said, "The King's Way is holy."

Wang Daosheng glanced at him and said, "Master Zhang, please speak."

Zhang Zhuo stretched his red official robe and said slowly, "I don't think you will be promoted to the Minister of War this time, so don't hold out too much hope. You seem to be the most suitable candidate now. Qi Xiuping is incompetent and Yang Zhao is reckless. When it comes to the position of Minister of War, neither of them is as good as you, which is why Lord Hu dared to recommend you."

Wang Daosheng sneered and said, "I guess there's a 'but' behind it."

Zhang Zhuo took a deep breath and said, "However, Your Majesty has been on the throne for 31 years, and the people he dislikes the most are those without weaknesses. The flawless saint in this world can only be the one in Renshou Palace, and no one else."

Wang Daosheng asked calmly: "So what should I do?"

Zhang Zhuo lowered his voice and said, "Well, I will give you a few women. You can take in a dozen concubines before going to Beijing."

Wang Daosheng laughed: "I am in mourning, I cannot remarry or take a concubine."

Zhang Zhuo looked up at the sky and thought, then lowered his head and said, "Then take some money. I'll ask someone to send you some silver, and then write a few memorials to accuse you and send the evidence to His Majesty."

Wang Daosheng was delighted: "If this happens, I'm afraid I'll be thrown into prison."

Zhang Zhuo shook his head, adjusted the black hat on his head, and brushed off the dust on the white pheasant patch on his chest: "I am not as good as you in terms of literature and classics, and you are not as good as me in being an official. Your Majesty will not care about accepting a few thousand taels of silver. Doesn't your Majesty know that his subordinates are greedy? Of course he knows, and he is not worried."

"What is your Majesty worried about?"

Zhang Zhuo turned to look at Wang Daosheng: "Your Majesty is only worried that he won't be able to get rid of you when he doesn't want to use you anymore."

Wang Daosheng smiled and said, "I don't want to touch any of the things you mentioned. In my life, I just want to have a clear conscience."

Zhang Zhuo cursed, "You are so self-righteous. I have seen many scholars like you. You have lived your whole life with nothing but integrity and honesty, but you have accomplished nothing. If you and I join forces in the court, how much can we accomplish?"

Wang Daosheng said softly, "Seeking results in the wrong process will not lead to good results. Lord Zhang, it is too late for me to discredit myself now. I am not as courageous as you. You and I do not share the same political views. It is better not to join forces when serving in the same court."

Zhang Zhuo remained silent and the atmosphere fell into dead silence.

Several younger generations followed behind, holding their breath.

Zhang Zhuo suddenly sighed and said, "Your official position will definitely not be as high as mine in the future, but you may live longer than me. After I die, don't let the historian write nonsense about me."

Wang Daosheng was silent for a long time: "This matter is not something I can decide."

Zhang Zhuo smiled carefreely: "Forget it, let them be."

Wang Daosheng asked calmly, "Are you willing?"

Zhang Zhuo stroked his beard and said, "What else can I do?"

He thought for a moment and then said, "By the way, do you still remember the song 'Beheading the Good Minister' sung by the Xu family at the party in the 25th year of Jianing?"

"remember."

Zhang Zhuo asked again: "Which part do you like best?"

The Kingly Way and the Holy Way: "Profits and fame can win over many heroes; morning bells and evening drums can wake up countless fools. What about you?"

Zhang Zhuo laughed out loud: "A piece of paper of fame, a thousand mountains of wind and snow! You and I like different plays, so we are not on the same path, so whatever!"

At this moment, the sound of a flute came from afar, like a sword cutting through the wind and snow.

Chen Ji's heart trembled and he looked up, only to see a man sitting in front of a carriage under the gate of Luo City. He looked like a coachman, but he was much more detached than the coachman.

His muscles tensed, and his hand silently reached for the whale knife: "Mr. Feng!"

When everyone looked closely, they saw the carriage parked alone beside the official road, with a peacock pattern carved on it...it was Lord Liu's carriage.

Chen Ji subconsciously looked towards Prince Jing, but saw that he had a dull expression and stared coldly at the carriage.

As Mr. Feng saw them approaching, he slowly put down his flute and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, my master invites you to get in the car and have a chat."

Prince Jing remained motionless, still staring at him coldly: "You led the people to surround and kill Yunxi and Baili?" Mr. Feng looked surprised: "Your Highness, you are joking, I have been listening to music in Baiyi Lane in Luocheng these few days, and I haven't been out."

Prince Jing sneered and said, "Do you need me to produce evidence?"

Mr. Feng laughed: "No, no, even if the prince produces evidence, I will not admit it."

Prince Jing sneered: "Arrogant."

Mr. Feng looked at the Qiansui Army behind Prince Jing and said with a smile, "The Qiansui Army left the camp without the written documents from the Ministry of War. Your Majesty may not do anything to the prince, but someone in the Qiansui Army will definitely bear the consequences. If it is your Majesty's habit, General Wang should be sent to Lingnan for labor... It will be difficult for us to meet again in the future."

Chen Ji was stunned. It turned out that the cost of the Qiansui Army besieging Luhun Villa was so high.

Prince Jing said loudly: "General Wang."

The man holding the king's flag responded, "I am here."

Prince Jing said, "Return to camp."

"Take care, Your Majesty."

After saying that, General Wang waved the royal flag in his hand, and the Qiansui Army solemnly turned their horses' heads and headed south. The black armor worn by thousands of soldiers made a deafening clattering sound, without any delay.

The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and Liu Gun, dressed in gray cloth, slowly got off the carriage with the help of Mr. Feng. Zhang Zhuo hurriedly signaled everyone to dismount and salute.

However, Elder Liu did not look at Prince Jing, but looked at Chen Ji first, and asked with a scrutinizing gaze: "Are you Chen Ji?"

Everyone suddenly looked at Chen Ji. No one expected that Chen Ji was actually being remembered by the great elder.

Zhang Zhuo chuckled, pulled Wang Daosheng between Liu Ge Lao and Chen Ji, and bowed with a smile: "I hope you are well, Ge Lao."

Liu Gun glanced at him and said, "I am no longer a minister, but just an old man who is in mourning at home. Don't be afraid, Master Zhang. I just want to chat with this young man for a few minutes. I won't harm him."

Zhang Zhuo hesitated for a moment, but finally stepped back.

Liu Gun looked at Chen Ji and asked again: "Are you Chen Ji?"

Chen Ji stood beside the warhorse and bowed, "Sir, it is me."

Liu Gun chuckled, like a kind old man: "Young man is a talent, a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger, the future is promising."

Chen Ji did not answer.

Liu Gun asked again: "Have you got married?"

Chen Ji shook his head: "No."

Liu Gun smiled and said, "My Liu family just happens to have several women who are of marriageable age..."

Before he could finish his words, the prince stepped forward, bowed and interrupted him, "Grandpa."

Liu Gun was not offended by the interruption. He turned around and looked at the prince with a smile: "Good boy, you haven't come to the Liu family mansion for many years. When your mother was still alive, she often brought you back to visit the Liu family."

The prince replied, "Grandpa, I have been very busy with my studies these years. I will definitely visit you more often when I have time in the future."

Liu Gun said with relief: "Okay, okay."

Chen Ji frowned.

It turns out that Prince Jing’s wife is also a member of the Liu family. Could she be Concubine Jing’s sister?

Until now, the cause of the queen's death seems to have been buried in time and no one has mentioned it, but Chen Ji thinks of the Liu family's character and methods, and can't help but wonder if there are any secrets in it?

Liu Gun glanced at Chen Ji, but he didn't say anything. He looked at Prince Jing with a tired look on his face, "Your Highness, why should we be so tense when we meet as father-in-law and son-in-law? We haven't seen each other for a long time. Let's get in the car and talk."

Prince Jing thought for a moment, then turned to the prince and said, "You go back first."

The prince said anxiously: "Father..."

Prince Jing comforted him, "Go, everything will be fine."

But the prince was unwilling to leave.

Zhang Zhuo laughed and said, "We have been traveling all day in the snow and wind. Let's go home and have some hot tea. Let's go."

As he spoke, he pulled the prince's arm and walked towards the city gate, and lowered his voice and said, "What can he do to the prince in front of everyone? Do you have to force the Liu family to tear each other apart? Are you stupid? Don't worry, the prince will be fine."

The prince then left, looking back every few steps.

Walking into the city gate, Chen Ji couldn't help but look back and saw Prince Jing lifting the curtain and getting on the carriage, while Mr. Feng was standing beside the carriage, smiling at him.

With a thud, a man in the city gate bumped into Chen Ji and passed by him.

Chen Ji looked closely and saw the man pulling down his bamboo hat to join the crowd going to the market. It was clearly the back of the secret agent Xifeng.

He calmly lowered his head and unfolded a piece of paper in his hand, on which was written: "Be careful, all the people who sent the secret report to the capital were killed."

Chen Ji looked up suddenly. The news that the Liu family secretly forged iron and stationed troops could no longer be sent out. Could it be that Yuzhou had become a prison?
(End of this chapter)