How to Convict Fang Zheng?

Old Yan paused for a moment, observed Zhang Shi's reaction, then continued, "In Banshan District, just because this person disliked Buddhism, he used Banshan Daily to mobilize the people. Within days, Fuyun Temple in Banshan District became ruins! I heard the abbot's temperament changed drastically and he fled into the deep mountains, becoming a wild man!"

"This incident shows his narrow-mindedness and vindictive nature! He could be so vicious to a monk who had no impact on him whatsoever..."

"Though you two have no great enmity, given his personality, when he holds absolute power in the future, will he spare you?"

Zhang Shi picked up his teacup to hide his nervousness.

Indeed, Fang Zheng usually kept a low profile in court, never showing off, and only spoke to deliver good news.

But if he conflicted with anyone, he was definitely sharp-tongued and unforgiving.

Moreover, his son had already been severely taught a lesson by him once, and even in the examination hall he had to take revenge!

He completely ignored his own reaction!

This proves this person is indeed vindictive!

If he truly gained power in the future... wouldn't he himself face great calamity?

Thinking it through, Zhang Shi calmly set down his teacup. "So what does Master Yan think? From Master Yan's meaning, if we let this Fang Zheng continue unchecked, he'll likely grow into a malignant tumor in the court."

Old Yan sighed. "Correct... His Majesty doesn't intervene, the Crown Prince has no independent judgment. This traitor will surely become a worry for our Great Jing in the future!"

Zhang Shi sighed. "Alas, so how does Master Yan think we should eliminate this malignant tumor? You wouldn't want me to be the vanguard, would you?"

Old Yan lightly shook his sleeves. "Correct, it should be so. Only if we two cooperate will there be a chance."

"But this old man cannot come forward now. I need you in front..."

So we're laying cards on the table, eh!

Zhang Shi smiled lightly and rose to bow. "Master Yan, I've greatly disturbed you today. Farewell!"

"Ah! Wait! Don't go, this old man hasn't finished speaking!" Seeing Zhang Shi actually leaving, Old Yan quickly tried to detain him.

Zhang Shi slowly turned around. "Master Yan, please stay. This official came today only to inform you of this matter, with no other intention!"

"It's getting late, I should go."

Old Yan stepped forward and grabbed Zhang Shi's sleeve, looking at him with wheezing anger.

Young people have no martial virtue! Leaving just like that!

Then he said in a low angry voice, "You, a dignified Minister of Revenue, have been repeatedly humiliated by a young man. Are you content with this?"

"If I've been humiliated, so be it. Master Yan, aren't you also willing to abandon personal grudges for your family? This junior should learn more from you."

"You!..."

Old Yan sighed deeply. "Sit down and talk. Let this old man finish."

Zhang Shi nodded, and the two returned to their seats.

Old Yan looked at Zhang Shi and continued, "This old man will speak plainly."

"If Fang Zheng doesn't die, this old man will never rest in peace! I must avenge Guoan."

"But this family, this old man also cannot abandon, so to solve this properly, only you and I can cooperate."

"You just need to tell this old man now whether you want Fang Zheng to leave the court."

Zhang Shi slowly nodded.

He also wanted to kill Fang Zheng, but King Wu obviously wanted him alive.

But he didn't mind first trampling Fang Zheng into the mud. If he had no official position, even if he went to King Wu's side, he'd just be a dog.

"Then our goals don't conflict."

"But how can we proceed when the current evidence of Fang Zheng's collusion with Northern Rong isn't sufficient to affect him?" Zhang Shi asked.

"The current materials, while somewhat useful, lack compelling evidence."

"The Northern Rong delegation brought cash to the capital, so if they were to bribe someone, they'd definitely act covertly. This silver would certainly be taken to money houses to exchange for silver notes."

"For such a large amount of silver to be exchanged at money houses, the Court of Diplomatic Receptions would definitely send interpreters and escort personnel."

"Then sending people to the Fang residence to bribe, since the delegation members are unfamiliar with the capital's roads and have no maps, they would very likely use the pretext of a visit and have the Court's interpreters guide them to the Fang residence."

"Thus, the evidence could nail Fang Zheng for accepting bribes!"

Zhang Shi frowned. "How to nail it? If Northern Rong people only visited Fang Zheng, who could witness the bribery with their own eyes?"

Old Yan smiled and shook his head. "No need for anyone to see it. If Northern Rong people really went to money houses to exchange silver notes, that would raise suspicions about their motives."

"Usually with the Court of Diplomatic Receptions helping them shop, they only need cash. What necessity would they have to use silver notes?"

"Second, there were definitely Northern Rong people who privately visited Fang Zheng, plus Chen Hong's testimony!"

"Everything follows logic. What people think in their hearts becomes the answer! Then let Fang Zheng prove his innocence! No matter how eloquent he is, he won't be able to explain clearly."

"We can also have the court send people to search the Fang residence to prove his innocence. If he refuses, he has a guilty conscience! Even if he didn't accept bribes, can someone like Fang Zheng who controls vast wealth withstand investigation?"

This old ginger is truly vicious.

Zhang Shi clapped his hands and laughed. "Excellent, but what you've said still isn't enough to topple him."

Old Yan sighed. "Indeed, so we can't move against him now."

"We must wait! Wait for Fang Zheng's next mistake. Only with combined charges can we deliver a killing blow!"

"Otherwise, with the Crown Prince's influence, he'll eventually rise again."

Zhang Shi asked, "Then... why does Master Yan say I should go first? What difference does it make who takes action first between us? Also, can we only wait passively?"

"The enmity between Fang Zheng and my Yan family - wouldn't His Majesty see it clearly? His Majesty was already biased, making things even more difficult then."

"So you need to go before this old man, but we also can't wait passively before the opportunity arises."

"As they say, rumors can be fearsome, three people can make a tiger. First have your subordinates memorialize His Majesty."

"The language needn't be too harsh, just state that Fang Zheng and the Northern Rong National Preceptor have an intimate relationship. Don't say more."

"Thus... we must first change His Majesty's thinking. You're more suitable for this than this old man."

"When Fang Zheng shows his true colors, this old man will actively come forward!"

Zhang Shi looked enlightened. "Then... I understand. Master Yan, it's getting late. I really must take my leave this time."

"Go slowly, this old man won't see you off..."

The next day, Yangxin Hall.

Emperor Jing held two memorials, constantly comparing them.

One was from a Censor of the Ministry of Revenue, the other from the Hanlin Academy.

Guo Tianyang hurried in from outside, holding a newspaper, and walked to Emperor Jing's side respectfully. "Your Majesty, today's Banshan Daily has arrived. The front page news is about seeing off the Northern Rong delegation."

"Read it." Emperor Jing said without looking up.

"The friendship between Great Jing and Northern Rong will last forever. Northern Rong young man Lihan stepped into Great Jing's capital for the first time in his life, experiencing a different kind of existence..."

"As everyone knows, Northern Rong is full of wolves everywhere, making life extremely dangerous. Lihan felt the safety of eating barbecue at midnight for the first time in his life..."

"Besides barbecue, he also fell in love with hotpot and stir-fry. Before returning to Northern Rong, Lihan emotionally shouted, 'Our Great Jing is really too amazing! I want to be a Great Jing person in my next life too!'..."

Emperor Jing's face turned red like a freshly steamed crab.

An indescribable sense of shame rushed from his toes to the top of his head. He drank a mouthful of tea to recover.

Then he said hesitantly, "The... Northern Rong people don't know about this thing, do they..."

Guo Tianyang was also blushing. "They probably don't know. The news was only published after the delegation left."

"The day the delegation departed... it seems the Crown Prince and Master Fang personally brought reporters there..."

"In the future, tell those two scoundrels not to create such ridiculous nonsense! Don't they have any proper business?!"

After saying this, he disgustedly threw aside the two memorials in his hands.

This is called having suspiciously close relations with Northern Rong people?

Forget Northern Rong people! I want to beat him up!