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

As night fell, a decree of retirement was delivered to Li Cunxi's desk.

Wu Chengsi stood in the hall, looking somewhat forlorn.

Di Renjie personally presented the retirement document and then stepped aside.

"Retirement" in ancient times meant that officials would have their retirement documents submitted by officials they were on good terms with. But Di Renjie came by himself tonight.

Li Cunxi stood up and carefully read through the document to show his respect for Di Renjie. Then he came to Di Renjie and shook hands with him.

"Uncle, are you really leaving?"

"All my life's wishes have been fulfilled. Although there are regrets, I am content that you have been able to sit in this position and achieve such success."

"Uncle..."

"Your Majesty, I am getting too old and must retire and go home."

Li Cunxi looked at Di Renjie's face and saw the old man's haggard appearance. He sighed softly and said, "Then I will hold a banquet another day to send off my uncle."

"There's no need for that, Your Majesty. I wish to leave quietly."

Di Renjie didn't want everyone to be crying at tomorrow's grand court assembly; at his age, he couldn't bear to see such a thing happen.

He grew older and became even more unable to bear the pain of separation and death.

When he retires from office this time, the next time he sees those former students, officials, and friends in the court, it might be at his own funeral, where he will watch everyone weeping and wailing while he alone enjoys the tributes.

"Then Uncle..."

"Your Majesty need not worry. My belongings have been packed and I will be leaving tonight. I request Your Majesty to send the Imperial Guards to escort me back to my hometown."

Di Renjie cupped his hands in greeting, a carefree air about his impending departure tinged with a joyful smile.

"Having spent decades in the court, I now realize that I have neglected my family's younger generation. I must return to my hometown to stay and look after my family."

Li Cunxi said helplessly, "My uncle was an honest and upright official in the court. Now that he has left Luoyang, he should return home in glory. It would be a pity to wear fine clothes in the dark."

"Does Your Majesty not understand me?"

"Sigh... Uncle, go back to your residence and wait. I grant your retirement."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. However, after I leave, the position of Inner Secretary of the Secretariat will be vacant. I would like to request Your Majesty to select a virtuous official to fill this position."

"I will send someone to Xiangzhou in Shannan Circuit to invite Duke Jianzhi back to Luoyang and let him resume his post in the Secretariat. Duke Huaiyuan will then succeed his uncle as the Inner Secretary of the Secretariat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Di Renjie bowed. "I believe that when I leave, Prince Liang, Wu Yanhao, may temporarily assume the position of Grand Secretary."

"It is not unreasonable for Prince Liang to temporarily assume the position of Grand Secretary. Then it is up to my uncle to decide. I will immediately order the Secretariat to draft an edict, and tomorrow Prince Liang will temporarily assume the position of my uncle."

"Your Majesty is holy."

“Father-in-law, how can you remain silent?” Li Cunxi turned to Wu Chengsi.

"Your Majesty is wise." Wu Chengsi cupped his hands. "I may deliver the imperial edict directly to my rebellious son and give him a few words of advice."

"Then we'll do as my father-in-law says."

……

Di Renjie left without hesitation.

There was no time for Li Cunxi to see him off.

You Huan of the Inner Guard escorted Di Renjie away with dozens of soldiers, leaving only a document for Li Cunxi, and Di Guangsi to wait in the mansion.

Di Guangsi was the only one of the three sons who remained in Luoyang to serve as an official. He held the documents and kowtowed to Li Cunxi, who arrived late.

"Your Majesty, my father has already passed away, leaving behind a document for me to present."

Li Cunxi first helped Di Guangsi up, supporting Di Guangsi's hand, and then sighed.

He had lived for over twenty years, and this was the first time he had ever sighed so much in a single day.

Di Renjie's voluntary request to retire can only mean that his health is probably really failing. He had originally refused to have two imperial physicians serve him alone, but this time he listened to his advice and took both physicians with him.

He looked at Di Guangsi and exhaled: "Tomorrow, the imperial decree announcing my brother's promotion to Vice Minister of the Chancellery will be delivered to your residence."

"I thank you, Your Majesty!"

Di Guangsi knelt down with a thud and kowtowed three times.

"We're brothers, no need to be so polite."

"Does my brother know the contents of this document that my uncle left behind before he passed away?"

Li Cunxi helped Di Guangsi up, took the document from him, and slowly said to Di Guangsi.

After thinking about it carefully, Di Guangsi realized that he really didn't know the contents of the document; he wasn't even there when his father wrote it.

Thinking of this, he shook his head firmly.

"Your Majesty, I truly do not know that when my father returned to his hometown, he entrusted this document to me, instructing me to deliver it to Your Majesty."

"Well then, I'll head back now. Brother, get some rest. Tomorrow at court, you'll be among the officials in the court."

"As ordered."

……

When Wu Chengsi arrived at the Liang Prince's residence, he saw that his good son was disheveled, clearly exhausted from a battle.

He gave a soft hum, stood still, and looked at his good son with an impatient gaze.

"Chest out, head up, stomach in!"

He suddenly shouted, startling Wu Yanhao, who immediately straightened his chest, raised his head, and pulled in his stomach.

"Dad, what's wrong?"

"What's wrong? Tell me what happened!"

"I really don't know."

Wu Chengsi pursed his lips, suppressing his emotions, and said, "Di Huaiying has retired, and the emperor has appointed you to temporarily assume the position of Grand Secretary."

The autumn wind was bleak, and Wu Yanhao was startled by the wind blowing in from outside.

He suddenly shuddered, and his facial expression began to change, quickly transforming from a brief moment of shock and surprise into joy.

"Me, the Inner Historian?"

"Father, you actually recommended me to be the Imperial Secretary?"

Wu Yanhao asked in an incredulous tone, as if his father would never recommend him to be the Inner Historian.

Wu Chengsi, with his hands behind his back, spoke the truth: "It was Di Huaiying who recommended you before he left. He believed that you could successfully stay in this position, and he also believed that you could make the most of your abilities."

"I never expected that it would be Lord Zhou Wangdi who recommended me to become a prime minister. I am truly moved."

"That's good to know. I just came to give you a message: I hope you won't be nervous at tomorrow's morning court."

"Alright, Dad, I'll see you off."

……

Taichu Palace.

Li Cunxi sat down in the imperial study.

This small imperial study had become his favorite place. Amidst the fragrance of ink from all directions, he could clearly find his place.

Once you find your niche, you'll have a much clearer perspective on government affairs.

The document laid out before me was left by Di Renjie, and it must contain very important words.

Taking a deep breath, Li Cunxi opened the document. The document was not thick, but all the contents were written on the first page, which contained only a single sentence.

"Cunxi, you've grown up."

On the official road leaving Luoyang, Di Renjie traveled for several miles in a carriage. Suddenly, he ordered the carriage to stop. With assistance, he got off the carriage and went to the banks of the Luo River, where he squatted down and quietly observed.

"Lord Di, what are you looking at?" Imperial Physician Feng Chunlai followed.

"I'm looking at the Luo River. Look how peaceful it is..."