Chapter 1238: Merits and Demerits

Tips from Qing He Yi Shen: Remember to collect after reading (), and it will be more convenient to read next time.

Leaving the teahouse, Li Longchuan got into Yan Fu's luxurious carriage.

The two sat facing each other, and neither spoke for a while.

The confrontation between Zhang Weiyu and Chong Xuan Sheng this time was extremely fierce.

First, the famous scholar Er Fengming wrote a grand essay titled "On Merits and Demerits", which was hundreds of words long, beautifully written, and full of exquisite allusions. It quickly spread throughout Linzi.

The core issue discussed in this article was whether merits and demerits could cancel each other out.

The resulting debate was unprecedented in its intensity in the past ten years, directly rivaling the momentum when Xu Fang cursed the deposed crown prince back then.

One side used "On Merits and Demerits" as a beacon, while the other also had a powerful essay titled "Heroes and the Nation", countering it as a spear.

The轮戰 was fierce, attracting many figures from both the court and the opposition to enter the fray.

The final established public opinion was "merit is merit, demerit is demerit. When discussing merits, one need not consider past demerits, and when punishing demerits, one need not consider past merits."

Thus, it was natural for a newly appointed censor to petition the court to investigate Jiang Qingyang...

This was an all-encompassing political struggle, from public opinion to the court. Chong Xuan Sheng, who was forced to engage, and Zhang Weiyu, who was the aggressor, engaged in offense and defense on various levels.

On one hand, Chong Xuan Sheng quickly organized a debate to rectify Jiang Wang's reputation. On the other hand, he constantly unearthed Zhang Weiyu's problems, while also making a commotion in the court and the opposition, questioning the motives behind discrediting a hero. He almost managed to turn the tables for Jiang Wang in his absence.

However, this time too much dirt was thrown on Jiang Wang, and it was simply unreasonable not to wash it away. Chong Xuan Sheng's position was inherently weak.

The final outcome of a thorough investigation of Qingyang Town was also within many people's expectations.

It was not a defeat in battle.

In the eyes of onlookers, Chong Xuan Sheng's political maneuvering ability and his mobilization of Chong Xuan family's political resources in this confrontation were astounding.

It turned out that unknowingly, the pawn who was temporarily brought in to check Chong Xuan Zun had already firmly established his position. His control over Chong Xuan family's related political resources was already above Chong Xuan Zun!

In other words, within the Chong Xuan family, in the absence of Lord Chong Xuan's explicit statement, more people supported Chong Xuan Sheng. Even if his opponent was Chong Xuan Feng Hua.

This situation had already shown signs early on, but it was only in this incident that it became so clearly visible.

After dismembering Chong Xuan Zun's private businesses, Chong Xuan Sheng had long been tied to many elders, and his overseas layout had firmly isolated Chong Xuan Zun's influence.

After Chong Xuan Zun's strong return from seclusion, his biggest chance to turn the tables was at the Yellow River Meeting. He was also very clear-headed. After understanding the situation, he did not do anything extra and just focused on preparing for the Yellow River Meeting. He did indeed do his best.

But unfortunately, he met Dou Zhao. And the one who won the Yellow River champion was Jiang Wang, who was so close to Chong Xuan Sheng that they wore the same pants. All the glory and honor went to Jiang Qingyang.

In the eyes of many, Chong Xuan Sheng's confrontation with Zhang Weiyu this time was less about protecting Jiang Wang and more about showcasing his power. Showing that even if something happened to Jiang Wang, he would still have the support of most of the Chong Xuan family.

However, in the eyes of friends like Li Longchuan and Yan Fu, what they saw was Jiang Wang's precarious situation.

Zhang Weiyu relentlessly pursued Jiang Wang, fixated on Qingyang Town, as if he was very certain that there was something there that could nail Jiang Wang down.

Outside Qingyang Town, it had already been sealed off.

If there were really any problems, it would be absolutely impossible to hide or transfer them.

Approaching Jiang Wang at such a time carried some risk.

While worried, they went to drink this cup of tea to see what they could do.

Chong Xuan Sheng was tight-lipped and said nothing. But his calm and confident demeanor was already an answer.

"Brother Yan, what do you think about Jiang Wang's matter?" Li Longchuan asked.

Yan Fu smiled: "What kind of person Jiang Wang is, you should ask yourself, not me."

Li Longchuan said: "Of course I know what kind of person he is, but I'm asking about the matter."

"Chong Xuan Sheng was right about one thing. Jiang Wang is not in Qi country now, and his image can be manipulated by others. If you really want to know the truth of this matter, you might as well ask him directly in the future." Yan Fu looked at him: "I don't think he will hide it from you."

Li Longchuan let out a long breath: "You're right!"

Yan Fu just smiled.

After a while, Li Longchuan asked again: "You said, what is inside Qingyang Town?"

Yan Fu smiled: "This question, I think Zhang Weiyu is as concerned about it as you are."

"You mean..."

"Before coming, I was still doubting, but now I am very certain. No matter what Zhang Weiyu has investigated, or how accurate the source of information he has. It is only fulfilling Chong Xuan Sheng's wishes." Yan Fu said with admiration: "Even you are so worried, Zhang Weiyu must be even more confident. But he is destined to gain nothing."

"How can Zhang Weiyu be so easily deceived?" Li Longchuan frowned and said: "He must have grasped some important clue to invest so much effort."

"This is Chong Xuan Sheng's ability." Yan Fu was really very relaxed: "Let's wait and see."

He thought for a moment and asked again: "How about a gamble?"

Li Longchuan shook his head decisively: "I won't gamble with you. It hurts me to lose, but it's insignificant to you. This is not a fair game."

"Hahaha." Yan Fu laughed, then suddenly said: "We're here!"

Li Longchuan lifted the curtain to get out, but looking at the bustling street, he was stunned: "Where are we?"

Yan Fu thoughtfully pointed with his finger: "Walk a few steps forward, turn that street, and it's not far from the Cui Cheng Hou Mansion."

"Of course I know this place is not far from my home... no." Li Longchuan was obviously quite confused: "I'm going back already?"

His expression clearly asked, aren't we going to play for a while?

"Do you think I was just making up an excuse to end the conversation at the teahouse?"

Yan Fu smiled: "Tinglan is really waiting for me!"

Li Longchuan: ...

After Yan Fu and Li Longchuan left, Chong Xuan Sheng also left the teahouse.

He had official business today, and he just wanted to inform Yan Fu and Li Longchuan before setting off.

Except for Fourteen, he didn't bring anyone else.

His goal was very clear, directly heading to the Metropolitan Inspection Office.

The search team led by Zhang Weiyu and Ma Xiong was preparing to depart here.

Ma Xiong, needless to say, was a veteran Green Plate.

However, although he was a fourth-rank Green Plate constable, he actually had little say in front of Chong Xuan Sheng. Of course, his oversight of Zhang Weiyu was also very limited.

Chong Xuan Sheng certainly wouldn't let such a team freely conduct a search.

Zhang Weiyu was a young man with a sharp temperament.

Seeing Chong Xuan Sheng approach, he frowned without concealing it: "We are here for official business. It is probably not appropriate for Young Master Chong Xuan to follow."

Chong Xuan Sheng smiled in response: "How can there be a reason for searching a house when the owner is not present? If you just put something in randomly, where can Jiang Wang go to reason?"

Zhang Weiyu also responded calmly. The battle he had already won gave him some psychological advantage when facing Chong Xuan Sheng: "You can call Jiang Wang back to observe. You can contact him, right?"

"I can't." Chong Xuan Sheng said with a serious face: "Jiang Qingyang is a hero of the nation, but he has been framed and pursued, and now his life and death are unknown. I didn't expect that some people's hearts are so vicious and dark, that they want to set fire to his backyard again..."

"Stop talking nonsense. Everyone knows what happened." Zhang Weiyu interrupted him: "Just say what you want to do."

Chong Xuan Sheng pouted: "Jiang Wang is not here, and I fully represent him. His responsibilities and obligations are on my shoulders. Therefore, I must be present for this search."

"You represent him?" Zhang Weiyu raised an eyebrow: "Are you vouching for Jiang Wang with the Chong Xuan family?"

If that were the case, then he would really have to weigh things up.

The weight of one Chong Xuan Sheng was not comparable to that of the Chong Xuan family.

"My ancestor is still here. How could it be my turn to represent the Chong Xuan family?"

Chong Xuan Sheng chuckled softly, but his expression suddenly became serious: "I vouch for Jiang Wang with myself."

Zhang Weiyu was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "This is no joke. There's no need to vouch. If Young Master Chong Xuan wants to follow, then follow. I handle matters impartially, so I am not afraid of supervision!"