Chapter 1179: Chapter 1176: Counterattack
But his current position did not grant him access to the palace; his only option was to seek Lord Huo’s assistance.
Upon seeing Chu Heng approaching, Huo Zhengming led him into the study.
“Ah Heng, take a seat.”
“I know why you have e today. The Emperor had ministers leave the palace early, and by now, the gates are probably already locked, fearing that no one can enter,” Huo Zhengming said with a solemn expression. “Do you know why your lady was summoned into the palace by the Emperor?”
Chu Heng didn’t speak. He dipped his finger into the tea water and wrote the character ‘Zheng’.
Huo Zhengming’s expression hardened. “How could that be? You’re just a minor official now. How could he take notice of you?”
“It’s a matter of the past,” Chu Heng had indeed sought people to find Madam Tang when she initially fled, but to no avail.
“But…” Huo Zhengming was puzzled. “If Tang Beauty has a grudge against you and thus targeted your lady, why would Duke Zheng listen to her?”
“Could it be!” Huo Zhengming’s expression jolted. “It’s aimed at me.”
His tone was now one of certainty.
He thought back to the incident at the Elder Princess’ Mansion, and Huo Zhengming’s face grew even graver. “Ah Heng, do you have any plans?”
Chu Heng came to him seeking a way to enter the palace; he must have a method in mind that didn’t involve reckless action.
Chu Heng said, “The Vice Minister of Revenue from the Song family embezzled disaster relief silver. Back in his hometown of Longzhou, he acquired lands exceeding ten thousand acres, registered in the name of his nephew by marriage.”
He produced a stack of documents from inside his robe and handed them to Huo Zhengming.
Huo Zhengming became visibly shocked, quickly reaching out to look at them. After verifying the damning evidence, he couldn’t help but ask, “Where did these documents e from?”
“Someone intercepted a messenger ing from the Song family’s hometown.”
“Then haven’t you been discovered? Even if these documents reach the Emperor, having the Vice Minister of Revenue removed from his post doesn’t necessarily mean that Duke Zheng cannot find someone else to replace him.”
“By then, you would still be on Duke Zheng’s radar. It would be too easy for him to target you,” he added.
“And besides, removing a Vice Minister won’t significantly weaken Duke Zheng’s power, especially since the Minister of Revenue Chen Tianmin is in his prime.”
“No, this is a gradual removal of Duke Zheng’s network,” Chu Heng shook his head lightly, his voice calm. “Though it’s only a Vice Minister, he’s the one most likely to assume the Chief of Staff position.”
“Duke Zheng is also surrounded by wolves. Should he slip, the Qi family’s Grand Secretary Qi would surely take a bite. And what about the Emperor—do you think he will watch Duke Zheng arrange someone into that position again?”
“Moreover, since I’m preparing to act against the Ministry of Revenue, I have not planned on letting Duke Zheng’s people get involved again.”
“With the Vice Minister removed, Duke Zheng will lose an arm within the Ministry of Revenue. The current Chief of Staff Minister Chen is the Emperor’s man; Duke Zheng cannot win him over,” explained Chu Heng.
Chu Heng continued, “I am only a fifth-grade official. Is Duke Zheng troubling me, or is he peting with the Qi family?”
“However, this is still very dangerous,” Huo Zhengming lamented softly. “While the Qi family might intentionally seek to befriend you to tie up Duke Zheng, if Duke Zheng decides to make a move, he is likely to investigate any and all of your past actions. Once he finds an opportunity, he will not hesitate to destroy you.”
“Even if I wanted to protect you, I couldn’t,” he stated.
Chu Heng’s expression remained unchanged. “My lord, you have forgotten—I am the Emperor’s man.”
“Have you really decided to go through with this?” Huo Zhengming asked with a sigh.
“My lord, Duke Zheng has already made his move against me. Unless I bee one of his, he will not let me go.” From the moment Madam Tang appeared, it was destined that Chu Heng and Duke Zheng would fight to the bitter end.
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