"Thank you, Father!"
Although Wang Fu and Liang Shicheng were only about seven or eight years old apart, the way he addressed him as "Father" was surprisingly natural.
"Alright, you may leave now. I will handle this matter!"
Liang Shicheng was quite satisfied with his obedient demeanor. After all, it was only by helping him ascend to the position of Prime Minister that he could ensure his own protection after his retirement.
"Lord Grand Commandant, His Majesty has just sent someone with an imperial decree, requesting your immediate presence in the palace!"
As soon as Wang Fu departed, a young eunuch hurried in.
"I understand. Prepare the carriage!"
Liang Shicheng smiled calmly and instructed the young eunuch.
"Yes!"
At Cai Jing's residence, Cai Jing, who had withdrawn his resignation, was not filled with much joy.
After all, for him, this was a war he was bound to lose.
Even if he risked his old reputation, in the end, he knew his tenure as Prime Minister would not last much longer.
At most, it would be a month or two before the Emperor found another excuse to clear him out again.
If he didn't know his place by then, he might face retribution.
However, for him, this month or two would be enough.
"Father, these are the evidence I've collected. Wang Ge is as good as dead this time!"
As Cai Jing was lost in his melancholy, Cai Xiao rushed in from outside.
"His death is only a matter of time. The question is, who should we have take over as the Grand Marshal of Daming?"
As the Prime Minister of this empire and one of its de facto controllers, Cai Jing was certainly aware of Wang Ge's actions.
The reason he had tolerated him until now was purely for balance.
This old fellow was Liang Shicheng's confidant. However, unlike some of the sinister and cunning eunuchs around Liang Shicheng, this fellow was a complete pervert. The troubles he had caused in Hebei over the past few years were all cleaned up by Liang Shicheng.
While historical cruel officials, though brutal in their methods, generally had reasons for their actions, either for wealth or to frame others, this young man was different. In recent years, due to continuous natural disasters, coupled with various exorbitant taxes and levies, and the corvée labor imposed by Zhu Mian and his son, the people of Hebei were struggling to survive. Consequently, banditry had become rampant in the prefectures of Hebei. Although severe penalties were often necessary in times of chaos, this young man, upon capturing any bandits, would, regardless of the severity, inflict "grey eyes," broken fingers, and five days in a long cangue upon them!
"Grey eyes" meant piercing the eye socket with a long awl, completely gouging out the eyeball, and then filling the cavity with lime. "Broken fingers" was even more crude and brutal; it involved smashing both hands' fingers with a large hammer, stripping the flesh, and removing the broken bones. If they still did not die, they would then be shackled in groups of five and left to bake in the sun on the streets! Because of his cruel methods, he was a figure who could stop infants from crying throughout Hebei. His indiscriminate methods led to countless wrongful convictions and false accusations. However, with Liang Shicheng's backing and Cai Jing's tacit approval, even the Three Judicial Offices were helpless against him.
Although Cai Jing had previously ignored his actions, all the case files he had withheld were still in his possession. Now was the perfect time to bring them out to deal with him.
"What do you think of our fourth brother?"
Preferring to keep things within the family rather than entrusting them to outsiders, Cai Xiao felt more confident entrusting the matter to his brother.
"Regarding the fourth son, his qualifications are barely sufficient. The question is whether he himself is willing."
Cai Jing's fourth son, Cai Tao, was currently a Minister in the Huiyou Pavilion, holding a fourth-rank official position. Moreover, as he had passed the imperial examination, he would normally be promoted one rank higher if assigned to an external post, making him a full fourth-rank official. The position of Grand Marshal of Daming was a third-rank position. While there was a gap of two ranks, with Cai Jing's connections, granting him a provisional appointment would be enough.
"I'll speak to him. Father, you can rest assured! However, how should we handle these matters?"
As Cai Xiao spoke, he gestured towards the stack of case files on the table.
"Hand these over to Tang Wenyuan! Let him handle the rest. You should not get involved in this matter."
After a moment of hesitation, Cai Jing spoke directly.
"Can... can he handle it?"
Tang Wenyuan could be considered a distant relative of the Cai family, but this fellow was always aloof. Generally, apart from sending pastries occasionally during festivals, he never visited their home. Furthermore, he was merely a minor judge in the Department of Judicial Scrutiny, holding at most a sixth-rank official position. Consequently, Cai Jing's sons naturally disdained associating with him.
"He is always upright and cannot stand people who harm the common folk! Once these matters are in his hands, he will naturally handle them with all his effort!"
Cai Jing gave him a dismissive look and said impatiently.
"I understand!"
Cai Xiao, having gained nothing, could only respond and then turn to leave.
—
The next morning, Han Mo finally felt like he had come back to life. The pain from the hangover had completely subsided. After getting up feeling refreshed, Han Mo even took a bath. However, just as he was about to head to his study for some last-minute cramming, Han Yan's voice came from behind him.
"Second Brother, an official has come to see you!"
"An official?"
Han Mo asked with some confusion.
"He said his surname is Feng! He's a bit plump and looks very prosperous."
"Is it him? Where is he now?"
Han Mo hadn't expected Feng Yuanbao to show up at his doorstep. Had something happened?
"He's in the small courtyard now. Sister Chun Tao sent me to find you!"
Han Yan blinked her eyes and looked at Han Mo.
"Alright, I'll go back and see!"
Han Mo smiled, patted Han Yan's head, and playfully pinched her cheek.
"Second Brother, you're so annoying! My makeup is ruined!"
"Hahaha, your makeup looks terrible, and that rouge is too garish. When I have free time, I'll find you some high-quality rouge!"
"You promise not to lie?"
Han Yan was still young, and with a few words, he was swayed again.
"Did you come here for something?"
By the time Han Mo returned to his small courtyard, he saw Feng Yuanbao pacing uneasily in the courtyard.