Chapter 71

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"Who knows what Chang'an has become now?" In Zhao Chen's room, Ma Zhou gazed at a ray of sunlight coming from the corner and sighed, his face filled with worry.

This time, he had been involved in the entire process of creating the public opinion storm in Chang'an. From the beginning when Zhao Chen asked him to write those stories, to later watching Zhao Chen's every arrangement and analysis, step by step, he had seen it all.

While marveling at the enormous impact of this event, he was also amazed by Zhao Chen's manipulation of public sentiment. From the moment those papers were distributed throughout Chang'an's streets and alleys, almost every change was within Zhao Chen's expectations. When to spread the news! When to keep people in suspense!

He skillfully leveraged the situation until the event reached its peak!

Last night, when Qin Ming returned, he detailed what had happened in Chang'an. As Zhao Chen had predicted, almost everyone in Chang'an was now watching the few high-ranking officials led by Cui Shilang.

A thousand fingers pointing! This was probably the best description of Cui Shilang's current life! The common people had no way to deal with a high-ranking official like him, but he also couldn't stop the people from talking. Now, not only Cui Shilang but anyone who came out of the Cui residence would be whispered about and pointed at behind their backs.

It was said that some people even took advantage of the night to secretly throw rotten vegetables and old shoes into Cui Shilang's residence, a way to protest against him!

With the situation at this point, Zhao Yuanjie was bound to suffer a tragic fate.

Cui Shilang and others had previously demanded that Zhao Chen be punished to uphold the law and order, but now, even if they had ten times the courage, no one would dare to challenge Zhao Chen.

Why didn't Zhao Chen reveal the name of the deputy envoy? The purpose was to prevent this very move!

However, Ma Zhou felt that it was now completely unnecessary. Anyone with a clear head wouldn't provoke Zhao Chen at this time. Cui Shilang's example was right there; who would dare to follow in his footsteps?

What Ma Zhou was actually worried about was how the emperor would react to the magnitude of the event they had created.

"Wait and see!" Zhao Chen, holding a chess piece, quietly moved it to the line where Ma Zhou's next move would be, and said with a calm face, "I estimate that the emperor will send someone to Lantian no later than tomorrow. By then, this matter will be over!"

"Will the emperor punish us?" Ma Zhou was full of doubts. He had been so focused on the excitement of the moment, but now that the situation had become so big, he was suddenly worried.

"What punishment?" Zhao Chen, hearing this, curled his lips and looked at Ma Zhou, saying, "We just distributed some leaflets! As for what happened afterward, we didn't do anything!"

Ma Zhou was momentarily speechless, but upon reflection, it was indeed just a few pieces of paper. The rest was entirely due to public sentiment!

Ma Zhou felt a sense of relief and was about to move his horse general when he suddenly realized that the horse would land right on Zhao Chen's chariot, leading to its immediate capture.

"Did the court judge secretly move the piece again?" Ma Zhou frowned, looking at the chariot that had suddenly appeared in front of him, and asked Zhao Chen seriously.

Zhao Chen had taught him chess over the past few days, and they often played when they had free time. At first, Zhao Chen always won, leaving Ma Zhou with only one old general. But as Ma Zhou gradually got the hang of it, the situation reversed. However, Ma Zhou wasn't as ruthless as Zhao Chen and never left his opponent with a single piece.

Frustrated, Zhao Chen learned from Qin Ming and started using underhanded tactics, like moving the pieces to where Ma Zhou would place his next move.

"Brother Ma, the quality of one's chess reflects their character!" Zhao Chen, hearing this, looked at Ma Zhou with a serious face and said, "Do you think a person who is righteous and warm-hearted like me would secretly move the pieces?"

"No!" Ma Zhou took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and shook his head firmly, saying, "I must have remembered it wrong!"

"Ha ha ha!" Zhao Chen burst into laughter, pointing at the chessboard and urging, "That's right! It's your turn, Brother Ma, move, move!"

What was there to move now! Ma Zhou sighed inwardly, realizing that the carefully planned strategy was ruined by Zhao Chen's underhanded move.

'Clang!'

Just as the two were deeply engrossed in the game, the door was suddenly pushed open, and Wei Hui, looking furious, stormed in.

"Is this the method the court judge spoke of?" Wei Hui, upon entering, threw a stack of papers on the ground and shouted angrily.

"Your tone, Wei大人, is not one for polite conversation!" Zhao Chen sat steadily, a slight sneer on his lips, and looked at Wei Hui coldly, saying, "May I ask, Wei大人, are you questioning me?"

"Questioning! How dare Wei某 do that!" Wei Hui, hearing this, sneered and said sarcastically, "Now, you, Court Judge Zhao, are untouchable in Chang'an. Wei某 knows his place and wouldn't dare to question you. If I did, you would have leaflets spread all over Chang'an, and I would have to stay at home and not go out!"

"Wei大人, you can rest assured!" Zhao Chen threw the chess piece onto the board, clapped his hands, stood up, and looked at Wei Hui, saying, "You, Wei大人, are just a censor in the inner court. It's not worth Zhao某's effort to scheme against you!"

Zhao Chen's words were harsh, as he was genuinely upset by Wei Hui's current actions.

In Zhao Chen's memory, Wei Hui was always a fighter. Ignoring the political show with Li Er, the historical Wei Hui was known for his bold and direct advice. But the current Wei Hui showed no such integrity!

He seemed to be running errands for others, running around here and there, with nothing in his mind but those people. Last time, he ignored the lives of the common people for the sake of Xue Wancheng and the others, and this time, he came to question Zhao Chen for the sake of the officials.

How could Zhao Chen not be angry!

"Ha ha ha!" Wei Hui, hearing this, suddenly burst into laughter, looking at Zhao Chen with a mix of anger and frustration, saying, "Court Judge Zhao, you are now the most prominent figure in Chang'an. A mere censor like Wei某 has no right to criticize you!"

Saying this, Wei Hui took a deep breath and said despondently, "Well, well, I will take my leave!"

"Wei大人!" Zhao Chen, seeing Wei Hui about to leave, sighed and called out to him.

Just as Ma Zhou and Wei Hui thought Zhao Chen would apologize, he hesitated for a moment and said, "Wei大人, don't forget our bet. You owe Zhao某 a promise!"

This was too much! Zhao Chen's words left Ma Zhou stunned.

"Ha ha!" Wei Hui, hearing this, was also momentarily stunned, but then he laughed lightly and said, "I will remember this. When you need me, Court Judge Zhao, just come to me!"

With that, Wei Hui didn't hesitate, turned, and left the room.

"Was the court judge a bit too harsh?" Watching Wei Hui leave, Ma Zhou remained silent for a long time before hesitantly asking Zhao Chen.

"Ha!" Zhao Chen, looking at Wei Hui's disappearing back, sighed and turned to Ma Zhou, saying, "Brother Ma, do you know that among the people I respect in the Tang Dynasty, there is also Wei大人!"

"Is that so..." Ma Zhou, hearing this, was stunned and, after a long pause, said, "If that's the case, why did the court judge treat Wei大人 like that?"

"Brother Ma, you are wrong again!" Zhao Chen, hearing Ma Zhou's words, sighed and looked at him with a bitter smile, saying, "I said I respect Wei大人, but not his current actions. Perhaps the current Wei大人 hasn't yet reached a point worthy of respect."

This was a bit confusing, and Ma Zhou was also puzzled. However, seeing that Zhao Chen didn't want to say more, he suppressed his curiosity.

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"In my old age, I humbly request the emperor's permission to retire and return to my hometown!" In the Taiji Hall, Cui Shilang, holding a memorial, bowed to Li Er, his voice echoing in the hall.

Behind Cui Shilang stood several old men, all of whom had been acting in unison with him these past few days. Today, instead of demanding that Zhao Chen be punished, they were now requesting Cui Shilang's retirement, a subtle form of coercion!

The current emperor was actively consolidating power, and they were certain that Li Er would not allow a high-ranking official like Cui Shilang to retire.

Thus, they used this strategy to force Li Er to punish Zhao Chen. Once Li Er issued the order, it would no longer be their concern. Zhao Chen wouldn't dare to challenge the emperor!

It couldn't be said that their plan wasn't well thought out!