Inside the canopy boat.
After Feng Ju had asked, Zhao Douan did not respond immediately, but leisurely picked up the teapot and poured a cup of Mao Feng tea for the former, saying,
"You and I have no previous dealings, so what else could bring Chief Feng here?"
Feng Ju continued to play dumb and feign ignorance, frowning as he said,
"Lord, if you have something to say, feel free to speak directly."
As a seasoned official, he was determined never to admit to bribing, as the saying goes,
"It's implied, not expressed."
These so-called "guesses" and "implications" are essentially means to shirk responsibility.
In Zhao Douan's previous life, he had come across the film "The Ming Dynasty 1566" on a short video app and vividly remembered the scenes where Emperor Jiajing struck the Magic Artifact:
The ministers would discuss state affairs without a trace of Emperor Jiajing, who hid behind the curtains. The Emperor's decisions were not vocalized but rather conveyed through writing, using only the sounds of striking the Magic Artifact to "suggest."
If things turned out well, it was the Emperor's achievement; if ruined... ha, it wasn't His Majesty who made you do it, it was the ministers messing around!
It was a perfect example of shirking responsibility!
Feng Ju, having been an official for many years, had playing dumb deep in his marrow.
Zhao Douan poured himself another cup of tea, returned the teapot, and smiled,
"Above the waters of the Hun River, on this lone boat, it's just the two of us. Words spoken by you and heard by me, there's really no need to be so cautious."
Ha... Are Magic Scrolls vegetarian? How many officials have been recorded in history books for their conversations and thus fell from grace?
Feng Ju internally criticized but remained unmoved.
"Well then, let me speak," sighed Zhao Douan, as if resigned,
"Chief Feng asked for a favor from the Ning An County young Master, asking me to rescue someone from the Ministry of Justice..."
"Lord, be cautious with your words!" Feng Ju interrupted eagerly, adopting a posture of integrity:
"Although I am somewhat acquainted with the young Master of Ning An County, I have never asked him for such a favor. You can't talk nonsense!"
Feng, having navigated the officialdom for many years, survived on the philosophy of 'getting by.'
The old slick… Zhao Douan chuckled and said,
"Yet, when you boarded the boat just now, and I mentioned you wanted Wang Xian to seek my assistance, Chief Feng immediately recognized my identity, didn't he?"
Feng Ju's face slightly changed, realizing that his unguarded moment had exposed him.
It wasn't that he was careless; the enemy was too cunning!
Zhao Douan reassured with a smile,
"Chief Feng need not be so nervous; my invitation today bears no ill will. Besides, I have already accepted the deposit, and we are both in the same boat, aren't we?"
Perhaps it was this statement that had an effect; Feng Ju's expression relaxed slightly, but his words were still sparing:
"What exactly do you want to say, Lord?"
"Chief Feng, being in the Ministry of Personnel, must have heard about the impeachment against me."
Feng Ju's heart skipped a beat, wondering if his fears were warranted — did Zhao realize the situation was unfavorable and didn't want to commit a mistake at this juncture, hence he wanted to personally renounce the promise to rescue someone?
But hadn't Wang Xian assured him that there would be no problem? Could there be a sudden change?
"I have indeed heard," Feng Ju wildly conjectured, yet his expression remained unchanged.
He paused, then tentatively added,
"However, given the precariousness of the situation, Lord seems leisurely enough to make tea, suggesting you are quite at ease."
From the wild guess of old Feng…
Zhao Douan chuckled lightly, showing no worry whatsoever,
"His Majesty favors me greatly; how could those Confucian Imperial Censors undermine me with just a few words?"
Seemingly genuine… and yes, with such a good appearance and martial skills, strong enough, it's only logical that His Majesty would not want to let go… Feng Ju wasn't surprised and smiled,
"If so, I should congratulate Lord for overcoming this ordeal."
As he spoke, he raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.
This action also signaled a change in attitude.
A bunch of opportunists… Zhao Douan wore a slight smile and also gently sipped his tea, then sighed.
"But as much as that is true, Your Majesty cannot openly favor one side; there needs to be a way for those intending to criticize me to quieten down."
"Could I really be of help? But my position at the Literary Bureau..."
He was puzzled, thinking that he was certainly not the right choice given his position had no relevance to the matter.
However, Zhao Douan shook his head:
"The Chief underestimates himself; indeed, we will need Mr. Feng for this matter."
Feng Ju was suddenly alarmed: "Me?"
Zhao Douan uttered a "Yes," and gazing at him seriously, said:
"I need to establish a significant merit, and I think denouncing a subject for bribery and judicial interference is a great idea. What do you think?"
A row of question marks slowly appeared above Feng Ju's head. He initially didn't grasp, or perhaps couldn't believe what was suggested.
Moments later, upon seeing Zhao Douan with a serious look, the Old Advanced Scholar, like stepping on a cat's tail, suddenly stood, voice sharp:
"Are you mad?! You're dragging me down with you? Aren't you afraid for yourself..."
He stopped midway, realizing that the other man truly wasn't afraid.
It was just about accepting a deposit, nothing concrete had been done yet. The Empress would turn a blind eye—no executioner's sword could reach him.
His fears were groundless.
The man was in the Empress's intimate circle, perhaps even closer, while he, what was he?
He felt dizzy, as if the entire ship swayed, realizing he was about to be sold off, feeling bewildered, angry, fearful, regretful...a whirlwind of emotions enveloped him.
However, Zhao Douan's next words pulled him back from hell into the mortal world:
"Mr. Feng, don't rush to anger; I mentioned denouncing a subject, but I never said it was you."
What does that mean? Not me? Feng Ju was stunned.
He saw Zhao Douan continue, still composed, playing with his tea cup:
"Mr. Feng, do you think, with your official status, even if you were sold out, it could block the mouths of the court officials and warriors?"
Indeed... Feng Ju was suddenly enlightened, rationality restored.
A Chief of the Literary Bureau sounded significant but carried little weight in the grand scheme of government.
And it was just an unsuccessful attempt at bribery; even if credited to Zhao Douan, compared to letting a rebel leader escape, it was ultimately trivial.
In other words, even selling him out, including his small circle behind him, might not suffice for Zhao Douan to claim merit over his charges!
That was why, the previous night, upon knowing Zhao Douan's intention, the Old Director of the White Horse Office stated it was "meaningless."
The Old Director knew well such merits were insufficient.
Because the impeachment against Zhao Douan wasn't just about releasing a rebel; it wasn't just about his tarnished reputation.
More crucially, with the Imperial Court of Supervision entering the fray, it could signify this matter had evolved into a local battleground of power between the Emperor and the court officials.
In such a gargantuan struggle, the minor role Zhao Douan played, his greatest utility, was to be expendable.
Did Zhao Douan not understand the perilous nature of this situation?
Did he not realize that just turning around and denouncing Feng Ju, along with that one in the Ministry of Justice's prison, wouldn't yield enough merit for the Empress to withstand the court's pressure and protect him?
Thus, his true intention was never to sacrifice Feng Ju, but rather, there was someone else.
"What do you mean by this statement?"
Inside a black-canopied boat.
After figuring out the crucial points, Feng Ju cautiously sat back down, appearing noticeably timid.
After all, his fate was in the hands of the person before him; he couldn't help but feel timid.
"What exactly do you want me to do?"
Feng Ju clenched his teeth, deciding to speak frankly.
Zhao Douan appreciated his frankness, talking to a smart person simplifies matters.
However, his next sentence completely shifted Feng Ju's just-restored color in his face.
Zhao Douan smiled gently, softly saying:
"I want you to denounce the current Prime Minister, Li Yanfu."