Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 98 Fishing in troubled waters
After parting ways with Jiang Jiao, Li Qiao originally intended to go directly to Wuming Academy, but upon seeing the sky, he realized it was getting late and thought his son should be home by now, so he decided to go home first.

Upon returning home, he immediately summoned Li Jieman.

"Father, what do you want to see me about?" Li Jie asked obediently.

Li Qiao asked with a smile, "I heard your recent performances have been very successful."

Li Jieman chuckled and said, "It's more than just a great success, Father. Do you know that now everyone on the streets is talking about our Dream of the Red Chamber? The singing competition at the Imperial Academy is completely ignored."

"Very good, you have not disappointed your father."

Li Qiao smiled and nodded, then added, "Now that we have achieved our goal, it's time to tone it down a bit. Your father used to tell you, 'The tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind.'"

Li Jie asked, puzzled, "Father, what do you mean?"

Li Qiao said, "We are only targeting the Wu family, and it has nothing to do with others. But now you are too prominent, and your father is worried that it will displease Prime Minister Zhang. After all, it was Prime Minister Zhang who stepped forward to tell you to restrain yourselves. There are some rumors about this matter outside, so we still need to be careful."

"Phew. Here it comes! Here it comes! I'm going to have to fool my father again. Father, I'm sorry." Li Jie took a deep breath and said, "Father, please forgive my ignorance, I don't know how to stop now? Should I give up the act?"

"this."

Li Qiao was also somewhat unsure.

On the one hand, he wanted to suppress the singing competition, but on the other hand, he was unwilling to offend Zhang Shuo.

This balance is very difficult to strike.

He was even less able to do it, so he said, "Why don't you go and ask the master?"

Li Jieman immediately said, "Father, there's no need to ask. The teacher wasn't targeting Master Zhang."

Li Qiao said, "Although that's not the case, I'm still afraid that someone might try to sow discord."

Li Jieman said, "Then Father will go and explain clearly that Father and Teacher did this to share the Emperor's burdens and for the sake of the people."

"If you ask Father, of course Father will answer!"

At this point, Li Qiao suddenly paused, "To share the emperor's burdens? To serve the people of the world? What do you mean?"

He had no idea he was so great; he just wanted to suppress the singing competition.

Li Jie's eyes darted around. "Today I heard something from the teacher that might be helpful to Father."

Li Qiao hurriedly asked, "What is it?"

Li Jieman said, "We have recently signed cooperation agreements with major restaurants and made a lot of money. So how should we use this money?"

Li Qiao said, "Isn't it just about helping those hidden households?"

"Yes. But there's a lot more to it than meets the eye."

"What's the significance?"

"The gentleman said today that as long as this sum of money is used well, it can win His Majesty's favor, because this is the matter that is currently troubling His Majesty the most."

After discussing it with Brother Que and the others, we concluded that we wouldn't gain anything by doing it ourselves, since we're still too young. It would be better to let our uncles do it.

Li Qiao frowned and said, "You are making a fool of yourselves. How can you trouble your uncle with such a trivial matter? Your uncle is, after all, a Duke."

Li Jie said, "Sir, you said that this matter is not trivial, but rather matters of power. If this matter is handled well, it will surely gain the Emperor's favor."

Then Father can tell Master Zhang that he asked us to perform for the sake of the country, not against him.

Li Qiao was taken aback, but found it made a lot of sense, and quickly asked, "Then tell me, what exactly should we do?"

Li Jie's eyes darted around, "It's about incorporating this into education reform."

Zhang Mansion.

A young man entered the hall and first bowed to Zhang, saying, "This son-in-law greets father-in-law."

He then bowed to Zhang Jiuling, who was standing to the side, and said, "Mr. Qujiang."

Zhang Jiuling nodded slightly.

This man was none other than Zheng Yi, Zhang Shuo's son-in-law.

Zhang asked, "How's the investigation going?"

Zheng Yi said, "Father-in-law, after making some inquiries, I've learned that the rumors circulating outside aren't entirely false. Although I haven't found any evidence as to whether the anonymous gentleman had arranged the charity performance long ago or because of your warning, your warning was undoubtedly a significant factor that led to this event."

It is said that the nameless teacher openly told his students this, but without mentioning the father-in-law's name.

Zhang narrowed his eyes and said, "In other words, they are not convinced by me and want to teach me a lesson."

Zheng Yi nodded.

Zhang said, "You should go and rest first."

"Yes, I'll take my leave."

Zheng Yi bowed to Zhang Jiuling again and then withdrew.

Zhang Shuo then looked at Zhang Jiuling with a blank expression.

Zhang Jiuling pondered for a moment and said, "Your Excellency, even so, there is no need for you to be angry. After all, they still followed your orders. And now that they have returned to the various restaurants, it is perfectly aboveboard, which can only mean that the nameless gentleman is indeed capable."

Zhang shook his head and said, "I don't think they are being upright. If they were upright, why would they need to use repaying the emperor's favor as a pretext?"
Furthermore, my order to restrain them was entirely selfless. Firstly, they were indeed disturbing others, and secondly, I did not want to disrupt the current educational and cultural reforms.

They only needed to tone it down a little, but they didn't understand my good intentions and even tried to give me attitude.

Rumors are circulating everywhere now. If I remain silent and indifferent, how will I gain the respect of the people in the future?

Zhang Jiuling understood Zhang Shuo's anger, because he had just returned to take office and needed to establish his authority, but he was humiliated by a group of纨绔 (playboys). Coupled with the rumors circulating outside, which added fuel to the fire, he must have been very unhappy.

However, Zhang Jiuling still believed that he should not dwell on this matter, because it was a small matter. If he responded, it would become a big deal, and if something went wrong, he might find himself in a difficult situation.

However, he also knew Zhang Shuo's temperament well. After thinking for a while, he said, "What Your Excellency says is very true, but this is just a small matter. If Your Excellency personally punishes Wuming Academy, I'm afraid it will cause gossip and people will say that Your Excellency is bullying the weak. At present, Dream of the Red Chamber is very popular. In addition, the parents of Wuming Academy students also have influence in the court. If they make a fuss, Your Excellency may be unable to attend to both sides."

Zhang said that he was indeed having a headache when he thought of Wang Maozhong and the others. "Then what do you think I should do?"

Zhang Jiuling said, "Your Excellency should show the demeanor of a prime minister and take the initiative to defend Wuming Academy, indicating that their actions this time are a sign of repentance and reform, and that they have done nothing wrong. As for admonishing Wuming Academy, I will do that."

Zhang was quite displeased to hear Zhang Jiuling tell him to be magnanimous, but he was also very surprised to hear that Zhang Jiuling was willing to step in. He disregarded his displeasure and asked, "Really? You're willing to do this?"

Zhang Jiuling said, "The tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind. Giving them a proper warning is not necessarily a bad thing for them." "Alright."

Zhang smiled and nodded, "Since you've put it that way, then let's do as you say."

He knew Zhang Jiuling's personality well; from his appearance to his very being, he was a gentleman. The fact that he was willing to do this showed that he was genuinely worried.

That statement naturally needs to be carefully considered.

Zhang Baishou Shop.

"it is good!"

"well said!"

It should be noted that most of the guests who come here are officials from the imperial court, princes and nobles, who once looked down on the nameless academy, but now they are also immersed in Dream of the Red Chamber, and the place is packed every day.

They were even more extravagant than the people of Xishi, attending every single show and chatting for over an hour after the story was finished.

Upstairs, a young man leaned against the railing, smiling as he watched the fascinated guests.

It was Wang Xi.

"You seem to have overlooked one thing."

Huangfu Sengnian suddenly walked over and said in a low voice.

Wang Xi asked, "Which point?"

Huangfu Sengnian suddenly raised his head to the left front and said, "Look who's there."

Wang Xi followed his gaze and suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Master Zhang!"

Zhang Shuo was seen sitting at a table with Zhao Dongxi and other officials.

Huangfu Sengnian said, "When I passed by there just now, I overheard Master Zhang arguing with someone. He said that we have reformed and turned over a new leaf, and should be encouraged."

Wang Xi frowned and asked, "Really?"

Huangfu Sengnian said, "I heard it with my own ears, how could it be false?"

Zhang said he shouldn't have such magnanimity, and besides, he was in the midst of his initial burst of activity after taking office, so how could he possibly praise us?

Wang Xi frowned and said, "If Minister Zhang doesn't take action, then forcibly pushing this plan forward will seem a bit far-fetched, and it's very likely to fail."

Huangfu Sengnian said, "How about we have Yixian Jue release some more information?"

Wang Xi sighed, "If that doesn't work, this is the only way. If necessary, we'll bring out my uncle and say he's targeting Minister Zhang."

Huangfu Sengnian laughed and said, "Being your uncle-in-law is really bad luck."

Wang Xi said, "If my nephew can make me the Vice Minister of Revenue in the future, I will love him even if I am unlucky."

Wu Mansion.

"coward!"

Wu Xin said angrily, "I really didn't expect that Zhang Shuo was such a coward. People have already ridden over him, and he still stupidly went to support them."

Li Linfu said, "Master Wu, do not make a decision yet. I think this matter is not so simple."

Wu Xin said, "He went to Zhang Baishou's shop to listen to Dream of the Red Chamber, how could it be fake?"

Li Linfu said, "But I learned from my uncle that Minister Zhang is by no means such a magnanimous person. More importantly, this will also affect the implementation of his policies. There may be some hidden secrets here."

Just then, a servant came to the door and bowed.

"Come in."

The servant came directly to Wu Xin's ear and whispered a few words.

Wu Xin's anger immediately turned to joy, and he said, "I understand, you may leave."

After the servant left, Li Linfu noticed that Wu Xin's expression was unusual, so he asked, "What is it?"

Wu Xin laughed and said, "Li Zhongyun was right. There really is a mystery hidden here."

Li Linfu asked in confusion, "What is it?"

Wu Xin said, "Zhang Jiuling submitted a memorial impeaching the Nameless Academy."

Li Linfu immediately realized what was going on and chuckled, "So that's how it is. It seems that Minister Zhang just didn't want to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut."

royal palace.

"Nine years old?"

Zhang Shuo was about to enter the palace to discuss matters with the emperor when he suddenly noticed Zhang Jiuling at the entrance. "What are you doing here?"

Zhang Jiuling said, "His Majesty summoned me."

Zhang immediately whispered, "Is it because of that matter?"

Zhang Jiuling said, "But my memorial was submitted less than a day ago. Isn't that a bit too fast?"

Could it be that His Majesty summoned me here for this very reason? That seems unlikely. Why would His Majesty be so concerned about such a trivial matter? Zhang Yue then asked, "Have you offered any other advice recently?"

Zhang Jiuling said, "No."

Zhang was also confused for a moment, and said, "We have to be careful later, and talk after we figure it out."

Zhang Jiuling nodded.

The two entered the hall together and saw Zhang Jiazhen, Yuan Qianyao, Yuwen Rong, and Li Qiao.

Upon seeing that Li Qiao was there, Zhang Shuo and Zhang Jiuling were certain that it must be because of the Wuming Academy incident.

But at the same time, I wondered, was this really such a big deal?

Zhang Jiuling was recalling the memorial he had written, wondering if he had used the wrong words somewhere that caused a misunderstanding!
However, given his talent, it would be difficult for him to use words inappropriately.

(End of this chapter)