Uncle Detective Di Renjie, I build a crime-solving team

"I heard you went to see Yancheng?"

After leaving the Prince of Dai's residence, Wu Yanhao immediately went to the Prince of Jin's residence, where his father immediately delivered a bombshell.

"Father, how did you know?" Wu Yanhao asked in surprise.

"I kept these things from you because I was afraid you would make mistakes, but you still managed to guess the general outline of the matter. I really don't know what to do with you."

“Dad, I’m not a child anymore. I have the right to know these things.”

Wu Chengsi sneered, "What right do you have? This matter has had nothing to do with you from the beginning until now. You're just worried about your father."

Wu Yanhao sat down directly, picked up the hard pastry, and took a bite.

"How could I not worry about you? You've been cautious your whole life, and this is the first thing that happened when I came back. It's been half a month and you still wouldn't tell me the truth. If I hadn't caught a glimpse of something in court, I would still be in the dark..."

"Ugh, this thing is so hard, it's really hard to bite. Dad, couldn't you ask the butler to buy something softer?"

"Moreover, I didn't learn anything from Yan Cheng when I went to my uncle's place this time, so I knew that he wouldn't cause any problems in this matter."

Wu Chengsi glanced at the steward, who understood and retreated into the back room, bringing over a plate of softer pastries and placing it next to Wu Yanhao.

Upon seeing another plate being served, Wu Yanhao immediately put aside the hard pastry in his mouth and began to eat the newly served plate.

"What, nobody respects you when you're out there, so you come back to live off your father?" Wu Chengsi sat down and took a sip of tea. "I've always said you have bad table manners, why don't you change?"

"The way you eat is for outsiders to see; it's not necessary at home."

"I really don't know what to do with you. What exactly do you want to do after you come back?"

Wu Yanhao grinned smugly: "Dad, you can't keep this from me today no matter what. I'm always afraid something will happen to the family, and this time is no different. I'm scared."

"What are you afraid of?" Wu Chengsi said. "I saw right through your little scheme. You want to know the truth, don't you?"

"This...this is what you said, not what your son said."

"Get out!" Wu Chengsi closed his eyes. "You'll soon find out the truth about this... Yanhao, the family has always been safe. As the emperor's father, I have his trust. If I'm healthy, I can hold a high position in the court for at least another twenty years. Even if I make a mistake, my position won't drop below the third rank."

"Dad, are you telling me the truth?" Wu Yanhao blinked his big eyes, trying his best to appear harmless.

"roll."

"Okay!"

Wu Yanhao rolled up the pastries and ran away.

After confirming that Wu Yanhao had left, Wu Chengsi sighed softly and addressed the back hall:

"Huaiying, I'm sorry to have made you laugh."

Di Renjie walked out with faltering steps, supported by Di Chun.

"It's only natural for parents to worry about their children; there's no question of whether they're laughing at their children or not."

He sat down with difficulty and took a sip of the hot tea brought by the steward of the Prince of Jin's residence.

After nearly a month of waiting, the plan is finally about to reach its climax. Di Renjie has persevered until today and can see the dawn of victory.

“Chengsi, I just arrived when the King of Liang returned, so I cannot reveal my purpose. But Chengsi, you are always good at understanding people’s hearts, so why don’t you guess why I’ve come?”

Wu Chengsi stroked his short beard and sighed:

"Huaiying, I know why you've come, but the plan is about to succeed. Don't you want to see what happens after it succeeds?"

"By then, it won't be too late to leave the court!"

Di Renjie nodded, a smile appearing on his face.

“Chengsi, what King Xia said is true. You are indeed a master at understanding people’s hearts. I have come here because I really want to say a few words from the heart, and I have indeed had the idea of ​​retiring.”

"Since the first year of the Wansui Tongtian era, my health has been deteriorating day by day. First, my sons suffered one misfortune after another, and then the former Crown Prince Li Xian committed suicide. I always have a worry in my heart."

"For more than two years, I have been unable to find a cure, and my health has deteriorated day by day. In addition, I am indeed getting old, and I will show signs of fatigue after handling government affairs for a short time. I think it is time for me to leave this court and return home."

Wu Chengsi naturally did not want Di Renjie to leave, and advised him:

"If you leave, what will His Majesty do?"

Di Renjie stared intently at Wu Chengsi and said:

"The five highest-ranking officials in the court are you, Dodo, Xue Qinglin, Li Huaiyuan, and myself."

"These individuals come from four different factions."

"First and foremost, you are the Emperor's father-in-law, and secondly, a member of the Wu family. Dodo was originally the Shibi Khan of the Turks, and in court he has been subtly biased towards the former Turkic officials, but his heart is still with His Majesty. It is true that Xue Qinglin has no retainers, but he is very close to Xu Xi, Zong Qinke and others, and is loyal to His Majesty to the death, not to mention that his daughter is a Noble Consort."

"Although Li Huaiyuan was a former official of the Li family, several years ago, he had already been helping Cunxi openly and secretly as a guest of the Crown Prince in the Crown Prince's Palace."

"Among all the forces, the few that have not been included among us are only the Li clan descendants, former Khitan officials, and old ministers of the previous dynasty."

"Your Majesty has no intention of suppressing the Li clan's heirs. In fact, Your Majesty's elder brother, the Prince of Chu, is the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court. However, the Prince of Chu hardly gets involved in politics, and Li Mingyuan is devoted to the country, but he has never been admitted to the Hall of State Affairs."

"There is no need to consider the former Khitan officials. Li Wanshan and Sun Xiangzhou have extremely high prestige in the army. If they are willing to serve as high-ranking officials in the court, His Majesty will not hesitate to give them to them. It's just that they have been unwilling to speak up."

"Now, the only ones without hope are the former officials of the previous dynasty."

Di Renjie rambled on and on, but Wu Chengsi actually understood everything.

It wasn't until the very end that Di Renjie revealed his true intentions.

That is……

We urge the Emperor to recall Zhang Jianzhi and reinstate him as head of the Secretariat!

After Di Renjie retired, the position of Inner Secretary of the Secretariat was vacant. Zhang Jianzhi returned to the court to serve as Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Chancellery, so Li Huaiyuan could go to the Secretariat to serve as Inner Secretary.

“Huaiying, can’t we use Yao Chong?” Wu Chengsi asked.

“Jian is a man of exceptional talent, it would be a pity not to use him,” Di Renjie countered.

"Huaiying, you old codger, since you've put it that way, what else can I say? Just tell me the truth, when do you plan to retire?"

"Tonight."

"what?"

Wu Chengsi jumped up and stared at Di Renjie.

His usual composure was so rude, all because of Di Renjie's words.

Di Renjie gestured slightly: "Chengsi, sit down, sit down."

Wu Chengsi stared intently at Di Renjie and asked in a surprised tone, "Your original plan was to see me during the day and then ask His Majesty for retirement later? Di Huaiying, are you out of your mind?"

"Why are you so surprised? My father's health is really failing. If he retires sooner, he might live another year or two."