Chapter 467 Who betrayed whom
Lan Zhen looked at Jiang Qingzhi with an apologetic smile, but upon closer inspection, one could detect a hint of sarcasm and complacency.
When Emperor Taizu Gaodi enfeoffed the princes, his purpose was to let the princes, that is, the people he trusted most, guard the border for the country. He did not expect that after he went there, Emperor Jianwen would reduce the number of princes, which triggered the Jingnan Campaign.
Since then, the importance of the royal family has been declining, but it still maintains some warmth.
Prince Ning's rebellion can be said to have dealt a heavy blow to the court at the time, making both the emperor and his ministers understand one thing: the so-called relatives and the so-called royal family were actually a group of hidden opponents.
The old Ning Wang Zhu Quan was coerced by Chengzu and forced to participate in the Jingnan Campaign, but he was quite dissatisfied. Moreover, the old Ning Wang also had great ambitions, but he made wedding clothes for Chengzu.
He was unwilling to accept this, but was afraid of Chengzu's suspicion, so he pretended to be indifferent to power all day long, interacted with celebrities, and devoted himself to Taoism.
His resentment did not burst out until his great-great-grandson Zhu Chenhao.
When Ning Wang Zhu Chenhao's rebellion failed and his assets were cleared out, the emperor and his ministers were shocked to find that the Ning Wang family had been planning this since the old Ning Wang.
So when Lan Zhen mentioned the matter of the old King Ning today, people couldn't help but think of Jiang Qingzhi.
With the Mohist school in hand, the Mohist disciples will regard you as a great master and obey your orders...
"As a loyal subject of Lord Wei, I naturally dare not question it." Lan Zhen's voice was clear, "But I think that it is Your Majesty's grace to let your subject have a good beginning and a good end."
——People’s hearts cannot be tested, so Your Majesty, please reject the craftsman’s matter!
These words were very upright, but Zhu Xizhong sneered, "From now on, you can spread rumors that Qingzhi has rebellious intentions, but Your Majesty has been very kind to him, he cannot and dare not rebel. He will not rebel in this lifetime, and will make plans for his children and grandchildren... What a good trick, who came up with this trick of giving birth to a son without dermatitis?"
This is murderous and heartbreaking!
Jiang Qingzhi smiled and said, "What you see in a person is actually what you look like."
Without waiting for Lan Zhen to savor this, Jiang Qingzhi said, "Your Majesty, the foundation of the Mohist School lies in fortifications. I am planning to build some small things recently. I can't say that they will benefit the country or the people, but I think they can also be of some benefit to the Ming Dynasty."
Lan Zhen said, "Is it of some benefit to the Ming Dynasty? Then Lord Chang Wei just needs to tell us, and our Ministry of Industry will naturally build it for us. Is Lord Chang Wei worried about leaks?"
"Yes!" Jiang Qingzhi nodded.
"I promise..."
"What guarantees can you give? The thing I want to build can transform the Ming army. If the secret is leaked, I will kill all your clans." Jiang Qingzhi said grimly: "Killing you, Lan Zhen, is easy, but if the secret of that thing is leaked, it will bring disaster to the Ming Dynasty!"
Lan Zhen was startled, then he chuckled, "What Lord Wei said made me a little confused. It would bring disaster to the Ming Dynasty if it could make a complete transformation... What a big tone. I would like to see it for myself..."
Emperor Jiajing narrowed his eyes and wondered what Jiang Qingzhi was talking about.
It can transform the Ming army, but if leaked it will bring disaster to the Ming.
He knew that his cousin would not speak nonsense, but a complete transformation, a catastrophic disaster... by that time, it would be just an ordinary thing, and the public opinion would be overwhelming, and it would be difficult for him to suppress it.
He glanced at his ministers, many of whom were laughing, either proudly or excitedly.
This is a pit!
Emperor Jiajing had been fighting with his ministers for many years, but he knew his cousin had fallen into a trap with just one glance.
Lan Zhen said, "If Chang Wei Bo can really create such a sharp weapon, the craftsmen of the Ministry of Industry... are at Chang Wei Bo's disposal!"
Jiang Qingzhi's original plan was to recruit some ordinary craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry. Of course, ordinary craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry would be the objects of great commercial interests if they were left outside.
As for the number of people, Jiang Qingzhi's bottom line is thirty.
Now that Lan Zhen took the initiative to step forward, Jiang Qingzhi was secretly delighted, but sneered, "Can a Right Vice Minister make the decision in the Ministry of Works?"
Lan Zhen saluted to the Minister of Industry Jiang Hua, "Minister Jiang, I am rude."
Jiang Hua nodded, "If Chang Wei Bo can create something that benefits the country and the people, our Ministry of Industry will certainly give its full support."
This is an endorsement, and it also leaves room for maneuver - it is good for the country and the people, as for what kind of complete transformation, can we just not talk about it?
Zhu Xizhong whispered, "Jiang Hua helped you secretly, I will treat him to a drink later."
Jiang Qingzhi wanted to avoid suspicion and was reluctant to express his gratitude, but Zhu Xizhong had no such scruples.
Lan Zhen seemed to be respectful and said: "Chang Wei Bo is a famous general of the Ming Dynasty. I think he will keep his word..."
Damn it!
The Taoist's eyes were cold.
Zhu Xizhong sneered, "We'll find out what he did wrong and beat him to death later."
Jiang Qingzhi patted his shoulder and said, "It's not worth it."
Then, he said to Lan Zhen: "When Ben Bo speaks, he will naturally keep his word."
Lan Zhen glanced at the Taoist priest who looked calm and said, "In that case, I will wait and see."
pit!
Digging done!
Jiang Qingzhi also jumped in.
Next it’s time to bury the person.
After the court meeting, Jiang Qingzhi and Zhu Xizhong walked side by side.
"Long Wilbur!"
Jiang Qingzhi stopped and looked back.
Jiang Hua walked over quickly and said apologetically, "I don't know anything about Lan Zhen's affairs."
"I know." Jiang Qingzhi said.
Zhu Xizhong asked, "I remember that Lan Zhen used to be quite distant from those people. Why is he standing up for them today?"
Jiang Hua shook his head, "I don't know either."
Lan Zhen returned to the Ministry of Industry, and a friend came in, "I heard that you stood up for those people today and offended Jiang Qingzhi?"
Lan Zhen said calmly: "The craftsmen of the Ministry of Industry should not be used for personal purposes. This is the rule. I am dedicated to the public and have a clear conscience."
The friend sighed, "But the Mohist School has the support of His Majesty, and Jiang Qingzhi said that he is planning to create something that will benefit the country and the people. Why bother to stop it? Not only will you offend him, but you will also offend His Majesty..."
Lan Zhen said in a deep voice: "I have a clear conscience."
The friend sighed and left, and the moment the door closed, Lan Zhen's body suddenly went limp.
He recalled the cold look that Dao Ye gave him at that time, and Jiang Qingzhi's sarcastic smile, as if he saw through his intentions and mocked him for being just a dog that charged into battle for others.
"Knock knock knock!"
Someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Lan Zhen calmed his mind and picked up a document.
The person who came in was Chen Zhan.
"Minister Lan."
Lan Zhen was startled, "It's you."
"Minister Lan acted righteously today, and we all applaud!"
Chen Zhan smiled and said, "I came here to congratulate you after hearing the news."
Lan Zhen held the document tightly in his right hand, "What they said..."
"After this incident, Minister Lan can go to a local place to serve for a while. When he returns, I think the capital will be different."
Lan Zhen offended Jiang Qingzhi and Daoye, and went to a local official to avoid the limelight. When he came back, he was the popular choice. With the support of the ministers, his future was limitless.
After Chen Zhan left, Lan Zhen lowered his head and smiled silently. He laughed so hard that his whole body trembled, as if he was laughing, or as if he was mocking something.
"When I was a student, I vowed to do something for the Ming Dynasty. After I passed the imperial examination and became an official, I couldn't stand those petty manipulations and refused to go along with them. However, I was suppressed for many years. I finally became an official in the capital, but because I refused to flatter, I was ignored."
"I have been working day and night for work, and I have forgotten to eat and sleep, but what do I get in return? I am ignored and alienated. Those idiots who have no ability but have a good background or are good at flattery are rising rapidly, while people like me who work honestly are suppressed. This heaven is unfair! It is unfair!"
There was crying in the laughter, "I don't want to bow my head, but I see that I am over fifty years old and have accomplished nothing. If I continue to waste my time like this, my life will end here. I won't accept it! Why does this evil God treat me like this?"
Lan Zhen raised his head, his eyes turned red. "What do you mean by just doing good things and not worrying about the future? What do you mean by just focusing on your work and God will not let you down? These are all lies to deceive people."
He closed his eyes in pain. "The Lan Zhen of the past is dead. He is dead. From now on, I will be... one of those people who used to despise me."
……
"Bring the pamphlet."
Back in the palace, Emperor Jiajing asked Huang Jin to take out a booklet from a locked box. He held the booklet in his hand and leaned his head back slightly.
"The Ministry of Industry... is here. Lan Zhen."
Emperor Jiajing narrowed his eyes and said, "This person is diligent in his work and does not like to be entertained. He can be trained for three years and then be put to great use. October of the twenty-sixth year of Jiajing."
Emperor Jiajing looked up and said, "This is... July."
"Yes." Huang Jin lowered his head, thinking that it would only be three months.
Three months can determine a person's fate.
If Lan Zhen had more patience, then three months later, he would have been promoted to the position of Left Vice Minister, or gone down to govern a region, and when he returned to the capital he would surely be in charge of one of the six ministries.
"Pen!"
The Taoist priest stretched out his hand, and Huang Jin handed over the brush dipped in ink.
The Taoist took it and drew a cross downwards with his pen.
There is an extra × on the word Lan Zhen.
……
As soon as Jiang Qingzhi got home, he saw Sun Chonglou and Dou Jialan arguing.
"I've already told you that Old Xu has a woman outside. If you don't believe me, let's make a bet."
"What are you gambling?"
"Bet... If you lose, from now on you will call me Master when you see me."
This guy, Jiang Qingzhi looked up at the sky.
"What are you doing, old man?! Don't draw your sword! Damn it!"
Sun Chonglou fled.
Jiang Qingzhi watched the two of them running past him in silence. After returning to the backyard, he asked Li Tian, "Xu Wei has a woman?"
Li Tian was at a loss. "I haven't heard of it. How come...my husband said a long time ago that he would find a woman who understands his feelings, but he still hasn't found one. This is my fault."
"That guy is too picky. I'm afraid it's hard for ordinary women to catch his eye." Jiang Qingzhi sat down. "Besides, a submissive woman is definitely not an option."
"Look at what my husband said, a docile woman is most suitable for a family." Li Tian said angrily.
"I said, it's not suitable for him." Jiang Qingzhi's attitude was firm.
He is a ruthless man who can kill his wife!
"If I could find a daughter of a general, that would be great."
Jiang Qingzhi couldn't help but laugh when he thought about Xu Wei picking up a knife to kill his wife, but being killed instead after the knife was snatched away from him.
"Meow!" Duoduo climbed onto his lap, and Jiang Qingzhi picked it up. "I have something to do in the back recently, so don't let them get close if they have nothing to do with me."
"What is my husband going to build?" Li Tian asked.
"Artifact."
(End of this chapter)
