Chapter 45

Seeing the hesitation on Zhao Junchen's face, Zhan Shanchang, who had already revealed all his cards, could not help but become extremely nervous.

Now, whether he lived or died was entirely up to Zhao Junchen's decision.

However, after a long silence, Zhao Junchen suddenly asked, "Although Tong Huan, the Grand Secretary, is the head of the Board of Public Grievances, he probably cannot fully control it, right?"

Hearing Zhao Junchen's question, Zhan Shanchang's body trembled. After a long hesitation, he finally answered, "Sir, you are wise. Indeed, the left and right vice-grand secretaries of the Board of Public Grievances each have their own backers, and Tong Huan cannot manage them."

Zhao Junchen nodded, indicating his understanding.

In fact, this was a natural thing. The Board of Public Grievances not only managed the circulation of memorials between the central government and localities, as well as between the government and the people, but also had the power to review and reject inappropriate imperial edicts!

What is the power to review and reject? The term "review" refers to the submission of memorials by officials to the emperor, while "reject" means to return inappropriate imperial edicts and correct errors in officials' memorials.

In a sense, controlling the Board of Public Grievances is equivalent to controlling the emperor's eyes and ears. To manipulate the truth would be as easy as turning one's hand.

Such an important department was being watched by many people, such as the Chief Cabinet Minister Zhou Shangjing, the Crown Prince Zhu Heyu, and other cabinet ministers. Although Tong Huan was the highest official of the Board of Public Grievances, his backing was only Wen Guanliang, so how could he fully control it?

Not to mention full control, it would be good enough if Tong Huan was not marginalized by his subordinates.

However, even so, if Tong Huan could really join Zhao Junchen, it would still be a great help to Zhao Junchen.

There was no other reason; this department was too important. If he missed this opportunity, Zhao Junchen did not know how long he would have to wait to get a foothold in the Board of Public Grievances.

Thinking this, and seeing Zhan Shanchang's nervousness, Zhao Junchen could not help but smile. Just as he was about to say something, a servant from the Zhao family hurried in and reported to Zhao Junchen in the main hall, "Master, Minister Wen has sent a letter. He says that you have been away from the capital for two months, and he has been quite concerned. Now that you have returned, he wants to hold a banquet to welcome you back."

As he spoke, the servant presented the letter to Zhao Junchen.

Zhao Junchen took the letter, opened it, and smiled again. He casually threw the letter aside and said to Zhan Shanchang, "Minister Wen's ears are quite sharp. He must already know that you have come to me. Sending this letter at this time, his intention is not just to welcome me back."

Zhan Shanchang hurriedly said, "Sir, you must save me. How cold and hypocritical is Wen Guanliang! Not only did he push the blame onto me, but he also does not want you to help me! Such a person, with such a narrow mind, is unprecedented! Sir, you have great ambitions. With such a person's narrow mind, he will surely try to suppress you in the future. Since that is the case, why should you care about his thoughts?"

Hearing Zhan Shanchang's words, Zhao Junchen was slightly taken aback and looked at him with new respect.

This Zhan Shanchang had actually seen through his intention to form a faction in the court.

However, Zhan Shanchang was worrying unnecessarily.

In fact, this letter from Wen Guanliang had instead strengthened Zhao Junchen's resolve to save Zhan Shanchang.

So, after a moment's thought, Zhao Junchen said, "You don't need to worry. I will help you this time and ensure your safety. I don't need your money, but how confident are you that you can persuade Tong Huan to join me?"

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Zhan Shanchang was overjoyed. His pale face instantly turned red, and after a long moment of excitement, he calmed down and said repeatedly, "I am one hundred percent confident. After this incident, Tong Huan is already disheartened with Wen Guanliang. Moreover, like me, he has already offended the other cabinet ministers for Wen Guanliang's sake. If he wants to secure his position, he can only join you now. With me persuading him, there will be no problem."

Zhao Junchen nodded in satisfaction and said, "Since that's the case, go ahead."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Zhan Shanchang was stunned and asked blankly, "Sir, what do you mean?"

Zhao Junchen frowned and said, "Didn't you say you were one hundred percent confident that you could persuade Tong Huan to join me? Go and be the persuader now."

Zhan Shanchang hesitated and said, "But, sir... what about my case? The emperor has already dispatched the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of Justice to investigate the autumn examination in three provinces. The Crown Prince's people are also closely watching. This matter has become so big that it can't be suppressed! Sir, do you have any way to save me?"

Zhao Junchen said calmly, "You mean the cheating in the autumn examination? Do what you have to do. If the emperor wants to investigate, let him investigate. If the Crown Prince's people want to watch, let them watch. We don't need to do anything now; just wait and see the show."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Zhan Shanchang was thoroughly confused and asked, "Sir, didn't you say you would protect me? If this matter is confirmed, the emperor will be furious, and I... I..."

Seeing that Zhan Shanchang still did not understand, Zhao Junchen sighed and explained again, frowning, "Since this matter has already become a big issue, there's no point in trying to suppress it. If you want to save your life and position, you need to help make the matter even bigger. Only when the matter becomes a big issue and causes a stir in the court and the country, can it be resolved."

Zhan Shanchang was stunned again, then his eyes lit up, and he asked, "Sir, you mean that once the matter becomes big, the emperor will help cover it up?"

Zhao Junchen nodded and said calmly, "Throughout history, the rule in the bureaucracy has been to make small matters big and big matters small. The emperor values his reputation. Once this matter becomes big, he will be furious at first, but after his fury, he will consider the impact of the matter. If too many officials are implicated in this cheating case, and heads roll in the central and local governments, the people will not be grateful to the court. Instead, they will think that the court is corrupt and that the emperor has a group of corrupt officials. In that case, even if the emperor punishes the corrupt officials and restores justice, it will damage the reputation of the court and the emperor. At that time, if I can say a few words to the emperor, what do you think he will do?"

Zhan Shanchang hesitated and said, "Sir, you are wise, and I admire you. However, I am worried that once the matter becomes big, the emperor will still need some scapegoats to vent public anger. If..."

Zhao Junchen waved his hand and said, "The matter has already reached this point. Some people must be sacrificed to give an account. The educational officials in Shanxi, Shandong, and Henan provinces will inevitably lose their positions, but that's all. If the matter escalates further, it will be detrimental to everyone. Do you understand?"

Zhan Shanchang bit his lip and said, "I understand. I will try to make those educational officials keep their mouths shut."

Zhao Junchen nodded and said, "Good. In fact, when the time comes, even if those educational officials want to say something, no one will listen."

Seeing that Zhan Shanchang was still frowning and hesitating, Zhao Junchen asked, "Don't worry. I will definitely not let anything happen to you. Go and see Tong Huan first. The Board of Public Grievances has the duty to report the people's suggestions and complaints. It will be useful now."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Zhan Shanchang, though still somewhat worried, could not think of a better solution, so he nodded and left.

Watching Zhan Shanchang's departing back, Zhao Junchen suddenly smiled self-mockingly.

In his previous life, he was a civil servant. Although he did not like intrigue and power struggles, he still understood many things. Now, this "knowledge" could be put to practical use.

On the other side, Xu Qingyan, after listening for a long time, asked Zhao Junchen after Zhan Shanchang left, "Young Master, are you really going to get involved in this? What if you offend Wen Guanliang? Is it worth it just for half of the Ministry of Rites and a Tong Huan who cannot control the Board of Public Grievances?"

Zhao Junchen smiled and explained, "I know. I thought the same at first, but Wen Guanliang's letter made me realize something. Qingyan, why do you think Wen Guanliang does not want me to protect Zhan Shanchang?"

Xu Qingyan hesitated and said, "He is afraid it will affect his reputation. If he cannot protect someone and you can, how will the officials in the court view him?"

Zhao Junchen nodded and smiled, "Exactly. But conversely, if he cannot protect Zhan Shanchang and gives up, and I manage to protect him, how will the officials in the court view me? Now, I want to form a faction, but my influence is limited, so I can only make small moves. However, this cheating case in the three provinces is an opportunity. As for Wen Guanliang, if I offend him, so be it. Although I want to get along well with the officials, in the bureaucracy, how can I avoid offending people? If the benefits are greater, what does it matter if I offend him?"

Xu Qingyan suddenly understood and said, "Young Master, you are buying a thousand gold for a horse's bones?"

Zhao Junchen smiled and said, "Exactly."

Xu Qingyan looked at him with admiration, praised him for a while, and then suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, Young Master, has the matter of the emperor's southern tour been resolved? Will we be accompanying the emperor to inspect the south next spring?"

Hearing Xu Qingyan's words, Zhao Junchen frowned.