Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

"Dismiss the court!!!"

Today's morning court session has finally come to an end.

Accompanied by the eunuch's shrill voice announcing the end of the court session, officials left the main hall in small groups.

I must say, today's morning court session was quite interesting.

Everyone had the privilege of witnessing the clash between two forces in the government! And the side that was initially underestimated won this time!

Whether it's Zhang Kegong, Gao Kan, or Tong Guan, none of them, taken individually, are a match for Cai Jing.

However, when the three were tied together at the same time, even Cai Jing, who could control everything in the court, suffered a minor but significant loss without realizing it!

Tong Guan was indeed demoted, from Privy Councilor to Assistant Director of the Imperial Academy.

The problem is that the Emperor has said that Tong Guan can act as the Privy Councilor.

So what's the difference between being demoted and not being demoted?

The meager salary reduction due to demotion wouldn't even be enough to fill Tong Guan's teeth!

Moreover, although Cai Jing suppressed Tong Guan's power to lead troops into battle, Tong Guan was now in charge of the defense of the capital, and all the guards at the city gates were under his command.

He can no longer lead troops into battle, but he can lead troops to defend the city!

So all things considered, it's not a bad deal!

As for Gao Kan and Zhang Kegong, they suffered even less loss.

Zhang Kegong's main purpose today was to annoy Cai Jing, though he also had some personal motives.

Because he knew that his cousin Zhang Shuye had cooperated with Tong Guan this time. Although he didn't know how much they had cooperated, since Tong Guan had been defeated, his cousin must have suffered a loss as well.

In this situation, protecting Tong Guan is also protecting his cousin.

As for Gao Kan, it was even simpler. He was just there to protect Tong Guan for the mission. He was always by Zhao Ji's side, so there was nothing to impeach him for, and Cai Jing couldn't say anything against him.

Therefore, in this round, Cai Jing is the sole loser.

"Imperial Censor Zhang, thank you very much for today."

Tong Guan deliberately slowed down to wait for Zhang Kegong. When Zhang Kegong came to his side, Tong Guan clasped his hands in greeting.

"Privy Councilor Tong, there's no need for thanks. I was just doing my duty. As an imperial censor, I should speak the truth. This court is not a place for certain people to have their own opinions."

Zhang Kegong glanced at Tong Guan, then at Cai Jing, whose face was clearly not good, and then said calmly.

“Censor Zhang is right, he is truly a model censor. Censor, would you like to have a simple meal together?”

Gao Kan also came over at this time, and looking at Zhang Kegong, he sent a friendly signal.

Since an anti-Tsai alliance is going to be formed anyway, the stronger the alliance, the better.

Tonggao Alliance... or maybe we should change it to Tonggao Zhang Alliance!

"Yes, yes, I'm hosting today, the Imperial Censor must come."

Upon hearing Gao Kan's words, Tong Guan immediately followed suit.

"This……"

Zhang Kegong was still somewhat hesitant, mainly because if he agreed at this point, it would make it seem as if he, Tong Guan, and Gao Kan had formed a faction.

As an imperial censor, forming factions is wrong.

But at that moment, Cai Jing walked past them and left a cryptic remark.

"One piece of junk is useless, but three pieces of junk are useful?"

These words provoked Zhang Kegong. Recalling how he had been helpless against Cai Jing in the past, Zhang Kegong was furious!

"Alright! Privy Councilor Tong, Chief Clerk Gao, let's go to Dingxianglou. I've heard their braised chicken is quite good, and I'd love to try it."

"By the way, let's eat in the lobby, so that some petty people won't gossip behind our backs."

Cai Jing paused slightly, not for any other reason than that Dingxianglou was one of his properties in the capital.

Are these three bastards going to eat and drink at his property? Or in the lobby?

"Very well, Imperial Censor Zhang is right! We are all upright people, so we should be in the main hall! Besides, I'm really craving that chicken there!"

Tong Guan also understood and deliberately spoke loudly as well.

“Both of you are Gao Kan’s seniors. Since you’ve both said so, I naturally have no objections.”

Gao Kan also said with a smile.

"Oh, Grand Tutor, you haven't left yet? Why don't we come together?"

Hearing the three men's words, Cai Jing gave a cold laugh, but he maintained his composure and turned to them, saying:

"I won't eat. You guys eat well and don't choke."

Then, Cai Jing turned and left, but some people saw that after he turned around, the expression on his face visibly became very gloomy.

He, Cai Jing, was angry.

"It seems the Grand Tutor is quite angry."

Gao Kan nodded slightly.

It's not easy to make Cai Jing lose his composure even once.

"Hmph, this old dog... is indeed not easy to deal with."

Zhang Kegong stated that although he was dissatisfied with Cai Jing, Cai Jing was indeed not so easy to deal with.

"It's alright. If it weren't for you two today, I wouldn't be in this situation. Why should I care if others are angry or not! Imperial Censor Zhang, I'm treating today, let's drink until we drop!"

"Prime Minister Tong, there is an early court session tomorrow, so let's not get drunk."

“You are right, Imperial Censor Zhang. Please come in.”

"Tong Shumi requests permission."

As for Gao Kan, he just smiled and followed behind the two men.

This scene was also witnessed by the court officials who had not yet completely left.

Everyone understood.

This court is about to change.

Cai Jing's days of absolute authority in the imperial court may truly be about to be over!

Zhang Kegong, Tong Guan, and the newly rich Gao Kan do seem to have the ability to challenge Cai Jing!

Inside the Rui Si Hall, Zhao Ji practiced calligraphy while listening to the eunuch's report, which naturally concerned the events that had just occurred in the hall.

"Oh? So, Zhang Kegong, Tong Guan, and Gao Kan, those three really have formed an alliance?"

When Emperor Huizong heard something interesting, he put down his pen.

"Your Majesty, the specifics are unclear, but the Grand Tutor did indeed have a verbal conflict with the three officials just now."

"Interesting, interesting."

Emperor Huizong suddenly laughed.

For the first time in all these years, he discovered that Cai Jing was not invincible!

"It seems that the Grand Tutor isn't someone who's completely unhurried after all!"

"Someone, go and summon Yang Daban to the palace."

"Since someone already wants to challenge the Grand Tutor, then I will make this even more exciting!"

Zhao Ji suddenly became excited. He seemed to have thought of something interesting, picked up his pen again, and wrote with great skill, displaying his master-level calligraphy on the paper!

"Join the game!"

……

Liangshan, a labor reform corps.

This is the collective dormitory of the labor camp. The prisoners who have obtained the qualification for labor reform are assigned to various dormitories according to their numbers, and they eat, live, and work together.

The Zhang brothers, Bofen and Zhongxiong, were also among them; they were bunk beds.

During this period, the two brothers did a lot of heavy and tiring work. Zhang Bofen was okay; he gritted his teeth and persevered. But Zhang Zhongxiong complained a lot.

Moreover, because of their identities, they were highly sought-after by the other prisoners in the labor camp.

If it weren't for the strict management of the Liangshan labor camp, and the fact that the two brothers were also quite skilled in martial arts, they might have been raped long ago.

"Brother, this life is too hard, I can't take it anymore."

At lunchtime, Zhang Zhongxiong approached Zhang Bofen, holding a steamed bun with pickled vegetables in his hand, and said with great dissatisfaction.

"Bear with it, Dad will definitely come to save us."

Zhang Bofen told his younger brother to be patient, as he believed that their father would definitely brave the treacherous waters to rescue the two of them.

"Brother, I don't want to wait anymore."

Zhang Zhongxiong lowered his voice and said to his brother.

"Brother, how about we break out of prison?"