I embezzled 100,000 taels at the beginning, and the empress begged me to be more greedy

"Oh?" Chen Qingyun looked at Lu Jun again and said, "Prime Minister Lu, please speak."

She guessed in her heart that Lu Jun must be doing this for Shen Ye's sake.

You must know that the Shen family is the opposite of Lu Jun. If the Shen family regains power, Lu Jun will also have difficulty in peace.

Lu Jun stepped forward slowly and said in a hoarse voice, "Your Majesty, I am old and ill. I want to resign and return home. I hope Your Majesty will approve it."

When these words were spoken, everyone in the court was surprised.

As a veteran minister who had served three dynasties, Lu Jun held such a high position in the court, but why would he choose to resign and return home?

Hearing this, everyone present was confused.

But the empress's face looked quite calm at this moment.

Chen Qingyun actually knew in his heart that Lu Jun wanted to leave the court in a decent manner, but Chen Qingyun still couldn't quite believe that Lu Jun was willing to leave voluntarily and give up the position of prime minister.

The fact that this man has been in the court for such a long time is enough to show his desire for power. It is quite strange that he would give it up on his own initiative now.

There must be something else going on here.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Qingyun replied: "Why did Prime Minister Lu resign so suddenly? Did he encounter any trouble? If he is really ill, I can order the best doctor in the palace to cure the Prime Minister's illness."

The empress knew very well that this so-called illness was nothing more than an excuse for Lu Jun to withdraw.

Although this old minister is old, he is not blind. I heard that he took a new concubine some time ago. He doesn't look like a seriously ill person.

Lu Jun pretended to be weak, coughed twice, and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. However, I am too old to serve as Prime Minister. I am afraid that I will fail Your Majesty's trust."

It seems that Lu Jun is determined to leave.

At this time, an official beside him suddenly said, "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister holds an important position and cannot resign so suddenly."

"Yes, Prime Minister, please withdraw your request and stay in the court to serve His Majesty together."

Those who spoke out to retain him were naturally officials from the Right Party.

Watching the officials below singing the same tune, Chen Qingyun quickly understood that this was just a show that Prime Minister Lu wanted to put on for everyone to see.

As a result, Chen Qingyun could not agree to Lu Jun's request.

"Your Majesty, I also think that the Prime Minister cannot resign now."

The person who spoke was Jiang Zuo.

Even Lu Jun's face showed some surprise.

None of them had expected that Jiang Zuo would actually try to keep Prime Minister Lu.

Everyone in the court knew that the Right Prime Minister had said all kinds of bad things about Jiang Zuo. Could it be that Jiang Zuo wanted to repay evil with kindness?

The lines on Lu Jun's face twitched, and then he lowered his head and said, "Thank you Prime Minister Jiang for keeping me, but I am really unable to hold on. I hope Your Majesty can approve it."

No matter what happens this time, Lu Jun seems to be going to resign and leave.

He had been an official for decades, and today he had to leave with such a result. Of course, he felt very sad, but if it were not for this, he knew very well what the consequences would be.

Chen Qingyun's expression was calm. He turned to look at Jiang Zuo and their eyes met.

Jiang Zuo already knew Lu Jun's purpose. He faced the empress and shook his head slightly.

After a while, the empress said, "Since Prime Minister Lu has made up his mind, I can't keep him. However, there are still many government affairs in the court that need Prime Minister Lu to handle. It would be better for him to stay for another month. After a month, it won't be too late for Prime Minister Lu to resign."

This one month is enough to change a lot.

The empress was determined to eradicate all right-party officials within this month.

Lu Jun looked solemn, but he couldn't go against the Empress's wishes, so he nodded and said, "I obey your order."

It seems that this resignation must have failed.

After the court session ended, Chen Qingyun returned to the imperial study in displeasure.

At the court meeting today, many officials put pressure on her as the empress in both overt and covert ways, including Prime Minister Lu who holds an important position. In just one day, ten officials submitted their resignations to the empress.

After a while, Jiang Zuo finally arrived at the imperial study.

After closing the door, Jiang Zuo asked, "Why does Your Majesty look so depressed?"

"It's all because of that group of old officials. At this time, they actually offered to resign from their posts to me. They wanted to leave the scene in this way. It's really wishful thinking."

Chen Qingyun groaned.

Jiang Zuo said: "Lü Jun still has a lot of support from other forces. He has indeed chosen to retreat bravely in order to avoid responsibility. Your Majesty cannot let him escape unscathed."

Chen Qingyun also said: "Of course I won't let them go so easily. Keep a close eye on these people. They will definitely not be quiet."

Jiang Zuo nodded: "Understood."

……

It is evening.

Shen Ye walked in the courtyard, waiting for news from the court.

The emperor had specifically ordered that Shen Ye should not move around without her order.

In order to complete his revenge plan, Shen Ye naturally had to be extremely cautious. Now that he was the top scholar and was deeply trusted by Prime Minister Jiang, if he could enter the court one day and climb up step by step, he would be able to settle accounts with those treacherous ministers and villains who had persecuted the Shen family.

While thinking about that, I heard the little book boy coming over and saying, "Sir, Prime Minister Jiang is here."

Shen Ye's face lit up: "Please come in."

Prime Minister Jiang must have brought some good news with him this time.

Shen Ye was extremely looking forward to it.

A moment later, Jiang Zuo came in front of Shen Ye.

"Greetings, Prime Minister Jiang." Shen Ye hurriedly stepped forward and bowed.

Jiang Zuo said: "No need to be polite."

"Prime Minister Jiang is here with any news?" Shen Ye asked.

Jiang Zuo said: "Lü Jun has already asked the emperor to resign and may leave the court in a month."

Hearing this, Shen Ye was not happy at all, but said: "This old fox actually wants to get away with it. Isn't it a bargain for him?"

In Shen Ye's opinion, if Lu Jun could resign and return home, it would not be considered a punishment at all.

The crimes committed by these treacherous officials are too numerous to list. How could simply resigning from office calm Shen Ye's inner anger?

"Actually, this matter is still undecided. Maybe in a month, Lu Jun will not resign. I think he resigned in the court today just to put pressure on the emperor." Jiang Zuo guessed.

"This group of treacherous ministers are so cunning." Shen Ye gritted his teeth.

Jiang Zuo said: "You don't have to worry too much. There is still a month left. His Majesty will definitely deal with this matter seriously. Any treacherous minister who persecutes loyal officials will not escape punishment."

Shen Ye calmed down a little and said, "Prime Minister Jiang is right."

Jiang Zuo added: "The court has granted you the position of head of the Ministry of Personnel. Prepare well and you can enter the palace to take up the post tomorrow."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank Prime Minister Jiang."

Shen Ye was delighted again and bowed repeatedly.

I have studied hard for many years just for today.

Although he did not know what the position of the head of the Ministry of Personnel was, Shen Ye firmly believed that as long as he could serve the court well, he would be able to ascend to a high position.

The powerful cabinet minister in front of him is the role model that Shen Ye pursues.