Chapter 157: The Cage

Under the setting sun, Zhang Zhuo, riding his horse, sometimes seemed to deliberately collide with Wang Dao Sheng, who would then calmly and unhurriedly dodge. The former was like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment, while the latter was like a deep, hidden iceberg. They were clearly unrelated, yet they happened to be together.

Chen Ji wondered, "Minister Zhang is usually also this manner..."

He ultimately didn't say the word "childish."

Zhang Xia reached out and stroked Zao Zao's mane, smiling as he said, "Father is usually very imposing in his official capacity, rarely like this. Presumably, the other person is Master Wang, so he's like this."

Chen Ji was even more puzzled, "Why is that?"

Zhang Xia thought for a moment, "My father once said Master Wang is a gentleman. I suppose, when facing Master Wang, he doesn't need to be as careful as usual. Although Master Wang doesn't agree with him, he would absolutely not harm him."

Chen Ji sighed softly, "That's truly good."

Zhang Zhuo and Wang Dao Sheng didn't argue for long. Zhang Zhuo gradually quieted down. He sat on his horse, looking at the light flowing and overflowing in the remaining sunset glow, and sighed, "The state and the country are like a painting. It would be good if the world could be peaceful."

Wang Dao Sheng walked by his side and said calmly, "The words 'state' and 'country' are not good."

Zhang Zhuo was confused, "Why are they not good?"

Wang Dao Sheng gazed into the distance, "She is for land, Ji is for the five grains. Are there any common people among these?"

Zhang Zhuo suddenly said, "Wang Dao Sheng!"

Wang Dao Sheng glanced at him sideways, "Minister Zhang, please speak!"

Zhang Zhuo stretched his red official robe and slowly said, "I feel that you may not be promoted to Minister of War when you enter the capital this time. So, don't hold too much hope. Now, you seem to be the most suitable person. Qi Xiu Ping is incompetent, Yang Zhao is reckless. When it comes to the position of Minister of War, neither of them is as good as you. This is also the reason why Hu Ge Lao strongly recommended you."

Wang Dao Sheng laughed and said, "Presumably there's a 'but' after that."

Zhang Zhuo took a deep breath, "But, His Majesty has ruled for thirty-one years, and what he dislikes most is using a flawless person. In this world, only the one in Ren Shou Palace can be perfect, no one else."

Wang Dao Sheng asked indifferently, "So, what should I do?"

Zhang Zhuo lowered his voice, "How about this, I'll send you a few women. You can take about ten concubines before entering the capital."

Wang Dao Sheng couldn't help but laugh, "I am in mourning. I cannot remarry or take concubines."

Zhang Zhuo looked up at the sky in thought, then lowered his head and said, "Then receive some money. I'll find people to send you some silver, then write a memorial impeaching you several times, and send it to His Majesty with evidence."

Wang Dao Sheng was amused, "Like this, I'm afraid I'll end up in the inner prison."

Zhang Zhuo shook his head. He adjusted his black gauze cap and then brushed the dust off the white crane patch on his chest. "When it comes to articles and classics, I'm not as good as you. When it comes to being an official, you're not as good as me. The matter of receiving a few thousand taels of silver, His Majesty won't take it to heart at all. Doesn't His Majesty know that his subordinates are corrupt? Of course he knows, and he's not worried."

"What is His Majesty worried about?"

Zhang Zhuo turned his head to look at Wang Dao Sheng, "His Majesty is only worried that when he doesn't want to use you, he won't be able to drive you away."

Wang Dao Sheng laughed, "I don't want to touch any of the things you mentioned. In this life, I only want to seek a clear conscience."

Zhang Zhuo scolded and prattled, "Proclaiming yourself noble, I've seen many scholars like you. You live your whole life and are left with only the four words 'upright and honest.' Yet you accomplish nothing. If you and I joined hands in court, how many great things could we do?"

Wang Dao Sheng said lightly, "Seeking results in a wrong process will ultimately not yield good results. Minister Zhang, my Xian Zi A would be too late to even sully myself. I lack your courage, and our political views are not consistent. We shouldn't join hands as officials in the same court."

Zhang Zhuo didn't speak, and the atmosphere fell into silence. The several juniors followed behind, even holding their breath because of the atmosphere.

Zhang Zhuo suddenly sighed, "Your official position in the future will certainly not be as high as mine, but you might live longer than me. After I die, don't let the history official write about me blindly."

Wang Dao Sheng was silent for a long time, "This matter is not something I can decide."

Zhang Zhuo laughed freely and easily, "Forget it, forget it, let them do as they please."

Wang Dao Sheng calmly asked, "Resigning yourself?"

Zhang Zhuo stroked his beard, "What else can I do?"

He thought for a moment and then said, "Oh, right, do you still remember that hall meeting in Jia Ning twenty-fifth year, where everyone sang 'Zhan Liang Chen,' and Xu Laoshi sang it?"

"I remember!"

Zhang Zhuo asked again, "Which part did you like the most?"

Wang Dao Sheng said, "Profit locks fame and rein, trapping many good men. The morning bell and evening drum startle and awaken countless foolish people. What about you?"

Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily, "Half a page of merit, a thousand mountains of wind and snow. You and I like different segments, indeed we are not on the same path. That's fine."

At this time, a transverse flute sound came from afar, like a sword stepping over wind and snow to strike. Chen Ji's heart was startled, and he raised his head to look. He saw a person sitting in front of a carriage below the Lu City city gate tower, like a coachman, yet much more refined than a coachman. His whole body was taut with muscles, and his hand silently touched a whale knife: "Master Feng!"

Everyone fixed their eyes on it. That carriage was stopped alone by the roadside, and peacock patterns were engraved on the carriage. It was Liu Ge Lao's carriage! Chen Ji subconsciously looked towards Jing Wang. However, he saw the other person's face was indifferent, and his gaze was cold and severe, staring straight at the carriage driver.

When Master Feng saw them approaching, he slowly put down his transverse flute and said with a smile, "Wangye, my old master invites you up to the carriage for a chat."

Jing Wang stood firm, still staring coldly at him, "Was it you who led people to surround and kill Yun Xi and Bai Li?"

Master Feng feigned surprise, "Wangye must be joking. I've been in Lu City's Bai Clothes Alley listening to music these past few days. I haven't gone out."

Jing Wang sneered, "Do I need to take out evidence?"

Master Feng laughed heartily, "No need, no need. Even if Wangye takes out evidence, I won't admit it."

Jing Wang sneered, "Arrogant!"

Master Feng looked at the Qian Sui Army behind Jing Wang and said with a smile, "The Qian Sui Army left the camp without the Ministry of War's document. His Majesty may not do anything to Wangye, but there will certainly be people in the Qian Sui Army who bear the consequences! If it's His Majesty's usual practice, General Wang should be sent to Ling Nan for labor... it should be difficult to meet again afterward."

Chen Ji was startled. So the price of the Qian Sui Army surrounding Lu Hun Mountain Villa was so great.

Jing Wang said loudly, "General Wang."

The person holding the Wang flag responded, "Your subordinate is here."

Jing Wang said, "Return to camp!"

"Wangye, take care!"

After saying that, General Wang waved the Wang flag in his hand, and the Qian Sui Army solemnly turned their horses' heads and headed south. Over a thousand soldiers in black armor emitted a deafening rustling sound, not dragging things out at all.

The carriage curtain opened, and Liu Gun, dressed in gray cloth, slowly got out of the carriage with Master Feng's support. Zhang Zhuo quickly signaled everyone to dismount and bow. However, Liu Ge Lao didn't look at Jing Wang, but instead looked at Chen Ji first, his gaze scrutinizing, "You are Chen Ji?"

Everyone suddenly looked at Chen Ji. No one expected that Chen Ji would actually be remembered by a Ge Lao of such high status. Zhang Zhuo chuckled, pulled Wang Dao Sheng to block between Liu Ge Lao and Chen Ji, and smiled with narrowed eyes, cupping his hands and bowing, "Ge Lao, long time no see."

Liu Gun glanced at him, "I'm not a Ge Lao now. Just an old man in mourning at home. Minister Zhang, don't be afraid. I just want to chat with the young man for a few sentences, I won't harm him."

Zhang Zhuo hesitated for a moment, but ultimately retreated. Liu Gun sized up Chen Ji and asked again, "You are Chen Ji?"

Chen Ji stood beside his warhorse and bowed, "Replying to Ge Lao, that is indeed me!"

Liu Gun chuckled softly, like a kind old man, "Young and talented, a newborn calf fears no tiger, your future prospects are promising."

Chen Ji didn't answer.

Liu Gun asked again, "Are you married yet?"

Chen Ji shook his head, "No!"

Liu Gun laughed, "My Liu family just happens to have several unmarried daughters of marriageable age..."

Before he finished speaking, the prince stepped forward, bowed, and interrupted, "Outer grandfather!"

Liu Gun wasn't bothered by the interruption, turned his head, and smiled at the prince, "Good child, you haven't come to the Liu family mansion to visit in these years. When your mother was still alive, she used to bring you back to the Liu family often."

The prince replied, "Outer grandfather, I've been busy with my studies these past few years. I will definitely visit you more often when I have time."

Liu Gun said pleased, "Good, good, good!"

Chen Ji frowned. So Jing Wang's principal wife was also from the Liu family. Could she be Jing Fei's sister? Up to now, the cause of the principal wife's death seemed to be sealed in time and no one mentioned it, but Chen Ji, considering the nature and means of the Liu family, couldn't help but wonder if there were still secrets involved.

Liu Gun glanced at Chen Ji, but ultimately said nothing more. He looked at Jing Wang with a tired expression, "Wangye, you and I, father-in-law and son-in-law, are meeting, why must we draw swords and bend bows? Long time no see. Let's get on the carriage and chat."

Jing Wang thought for a moment, then turned to the prince and said, "You all go back first!"

The prince said urgently, "Father..."

Jing Wang comforted him, "Go. Nothing will happen."

The prince was still reluctant to leave, and Chen Ji also didn't move. Zhang Zhuo chuckled, "We've been rushing all day through wind and snow, let's quickly go home and have a cup of hot tea. Let's go, let's go, let's go..."

Saying this, he pulled Chen Ji and the prince's arms towards the city gate, and lowered his voice, "Under the public gaze, what can he do to Wangye? Do you all have to force the Liu family to tear off their face? Aren't you being silly? Rest assured, nothing will happen to Wangye."

The prince then left, looking back repeatedly. As they walked into the city gate, Chen Ji couldn't help but turn his head to look. He saw Jing Wang lift the carriage curtain and board it, while Master Feng stood beside the carriage, just smiling at him.

With a thud, a man inside the city gate bumped into Chen Ji and passed by. Chen Ji fixed his eyes on him and saw that the man had pulled his hat low and blended into the market crowd. It was clearly someone from the secret spy office, West Wind's subordinate. He didn't change his expression and lowered his head to unfold a strip of paper in his hand. It strikingly read: Be careful, the people sent to the capital with secret memorials have all been killed!

Chen Ji suddenly raised his head. Was this Yu State already a prison cage?

...

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