Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 119

Chapter 119 Be Shocked to Learn of a Plot
Lu Zhen’s heart skipped a beat when he heard that this person had added a palace prefix to his name and glanced at his bare chin. He knew that his previous guess had been eighty to ninety percent true.

Just as he was about to ask what the other party had to say, the innkeeper who accompanied him smiled and said, “Please come to the hall and talk.” What he was leading was a small living room beside him.

Lu Zhen glanced at the other party and saw him nod and start, so he followed with a smile. Under the puzzled gaze of the soldiers, the three of them entered the hall. Then, the shopkeeper called for more tea and served them a bowl of incense tea. Only then did they leave the hall and gently close the hall door for them. All of this was done very smoothly, and it was obvious that he had done the same thing in the past.

Sniffing the crisp fragrance of the tea, Lu Zhen glanced at the man who was enjoying the tea leisurely. “Eunuch, Xiaguan dares to ask, what message do you want to pass on?”

“Smart.” Seeing him reveal his identity in a single breath, the man surnamed Qin did not panic. He smiled and glanced at Lu Zhen, “Our family likes to talk to smart people like you. This can save a lot of things.” Since the other party had already shouted out his identity, he simply changed his self-proclamation.

Lu Zhen smiled and said, “Eunuch, you’re ridiculously praising me. I’m just casually guessing.”

After a casual oh, he asked, “Then guess again, why did our family come looking for you?”

“Well, it has a lot to do with the transfer of Xiaguan from Shanxi to the capital. Is what Xiaguan said right?”

“Not bad, not bad. Looks like we did not find the wrong person this time.”

“However, I don’t understand one thing. Who would think so highly of a rank seven county magistrate like me? Could it be the king …”

Before he could finish his sentence, Eunuch Qin interrupted, “There are some things that you should know in your heart, but it’s not so smart to say it out loud.”

Lu Zhen sucked in a breath of cold air. He didn’t expect things to be like this. Even though he was prepared, after hearing this answer, the impact on him was still not small. Seeing his slightly changed expression, Eunuch Qin smiled again, “Don’t worry, we didn’t transfer you from Shanxi to harm you. You, a small county magistrate, aren’t worth our great effort to harm you.”

Lu Zhen sighed and said, “Eunuch is right. To tell you the truth, Xiaguan is really uneasy all the way to the capital. Although Xiaguan admits that he has made some contributions to the Imperial Court, he really can’t be regarded as valued by the Imperial Court. He actually transferred Xiaguan from the border area to the capital …”

Eunuch Qin smiled indifferently and said as if he was showing off, “What is this? As long as Eunuch Wang wants to use someone, they are ordinary white clothes. Even prisoners in prison can rise to fame with just a single sentence, let alone you being an official of the Imperial Court. So Lu Zhen, this time, your chance has come.”

Lu Zhen thought to himself that this person was also a good negotiator. He wasn’t busy getting down to business and instead boasted. But it also proved that they needed him, otherwise he wouldn’t have put in so much effort to talk about it.

“Eunuch Qin thinks highly of Xiangguan. Xiangguan is truly flattered. But Xiangguan still doesn’t understand why it’s me. With Eunuch Wang’s reputation in the court, there are plenty of people who are doing their best for him. Why would they want to be far away from him and transfer Xiangguan to the capital?”

“Well, there’s naturally a reason. Who told you to enter Eunuch Wang’s eyes?” Eunuch Qin smiled and said, “Otherwise, how can you say that you are lucky? How many people in Manchao tried to curry favor with Eunuch Wang, but he saw you at first glance and even transferred you over through the Imperial Court. This is not easy.”

Was this luck? Lu Zhen didn’t think so. Although Wang Zhen’s power was monstrous now, what about a few years later? As long as they were close to him, their fate would be miserable! Moreover, Lu Zhen only wanted to draw a clear line with his actions a few years later that would bring calamity to the country and the people.

However, it was naturally impossible for this idea to be revealed in front of the other party. Otherwise, with Lu Zhen’s current status, he would probably disappear from the world very quickly, leaving no traces behind.

After pressing down on a certain intention in his heart, Lu Zhen finally changed the topic to the key point, “I wonder what Eunuch Wang wants Xiaoguan to do, and what can a mere county magistrate do for him?”

Eunuch Qin narrowed his eyes and looked at him as if he was addicted to playing. Seeing Lu Zhen’s blank expression, he added, “I can give you a hint. This has a lot to do with the contribution you just made.”

These words weren’t serious, but they sounded like thunder in Lu Zhen’s ears. Combined with his impression of Wang Zhen in history, he already knew what the other party was planning. “Could it be … that Eunuch Wang wants to use force against the Mongols? Do you want me to be this horse soldier?”

Why was there such a huge defeat in the Civil Castle that changed the historical trend of the Ming Dynasty? Apart from being brave at the young age of Zhu Qi Town, Wang Zhen’s bewitchment and slander were also the fundamental reasons.

It could be said that it was precisely the two people in power who clapped together and pushed forward this battle with the Wa’a people. In the end, hundreds of thousands of Great Ming troops died, and countless loyal ministers and generals died under the Wa’a people’s butcher knives.

When Lu Zhen confirmed his age, he had always had a dream, that was to prevent this tragedy from happening. Perhaps without the changes in the Civil Castle, the rivers and mountains of the Great Ming would be extended by several hundred years. That would mean that there would be no more dynasties that treated the Han as slaves, let alone a century of humiliation.

However, he also knew how light-hearted he was in this era. It was impossible for a person, a rank seven county magistrate, to influence the decision-making of the Imperial Court. Actually, countless officials had tried their best to dissuade them before the army left, but what was the result? If he had to go out and fight, if he had to die in battle, how could he, Lu Zhen, change all of this?

But even so, Lu Zhen did not expect that he would face such a situation. Wang Zhen wanted to use troops on the grasslands, but he actually thought of letting himself be his pawn!

Perhaps it was because of his outstanding performance in the Broad Spirit Battle that he had won a lot of praise. Perhaps it was because Wang Zhen, who was far away in the capital, knew of his previous remarks along Hu Suizhi’s lines and was cited as his confidante that Eunuch Wang had the fantasy to transfer him from Shanxi to do this.

For a moment, a huge wave surged in Lu Zhen’s heart. He really wanted to immediately reject the other party’s request, but he still endured it when it came to his mouth. It was because he knew that if this happened, the result would still be that he would disappear from the world. It was true that Wang Zhen’s current power hadn’t reached the point of covering the sky with one hand, but to get rid of such a small figure, he only needed a single glance.

Although Lu Zhen wanted to serve his country, he didn’t want to risk his own life. After all, he wasn’t someone who had been educated by Confucianism and valued faith, integrity, family and country more than his own life.

After Lu Zhen gave the answer, Eunuch Qin was obviously stunned on the spot. He was originally just teasing, but he didn’t expect the young county magistrate in front of him to be so unexpectedly responsive. With just a single word, he got the truth. This made him unable to recover his senses for a long time.

When he regained his senses, he discovered that Lu Zhen was still absent-mindedly pondering. His expression was a little complicated as he said, “County Magistrate Lu indeed has some abilities, which greatly enlightens our family.” That’s right, this is exactly what our family was instructed to pass on today. I wonder what you think? Don’t worry, as long as you help Eunuch Wang this time, he will definitely not treat you wrongly. Even if he can’t keep you as a capital official for the time being, it won’t be difficult for you to go to a wealthy county or even a state city to become a parent. In this way, you don’t have to live in fear in Guang Ling’s place. ”

The rewards are tempting. The difference between the rich and the poor was quite large. For example, Jiangnan and the prefectures and counties nearby the capital were all rich and flowing with oil. On the other hand, the Guang Ling that Lu Zhen was in belonged to the other extreme. Not only was it painstaking, it was also at risk of being attacked at any time. If he told an ordinary official, the other party would definitely feel tempted and immediately agree.

However, Lu Zhen still had a thoughtful expression on his face. After a long while, he slowly said, “It is truly my fortune that Eunuch Wang valued Xiaoguan so much. However … there is one thing that Xiaoguan still does not know. I am only a county magistrate who is lightly talked about. How can I cheer for Eunuch Wang’s big plan?”

Seeing his seemingly intentional appearance, Eunuch Qin also revealed a happy expression, “Well, we have our own ways. However, we can’t say for the time being. When the time comes, you will know.”

Lu Zhen smiled bitterly. He originally wanted to trick the other party, but he didn’t expect the other party to keep his mouth shut.

Of course, it was impossible for him to help Wang Zhen do this kind of evil deed. Not to mention that he would not be able to overcome this obstacle in his heart, just thinking about the counterattack from the Central Powers in the Civil Castle made Lu Zhen shiver.

Moreover, as far as he knew, at least in the historical records, Wang Zhen hadn’t expressed his intention to mobilize troops against the grasslands. If he really helped him like this, who knew if he would be able to prompt the war to appear earlier? And if it really was as he thought, would the tragedy of the Civil Castle become even greater, or could it be eliminated?

In Lu Zhen’s opinion, the former was more likely. Moreover, once the troops were defeated, the Wali army would take advantage of the situation. At this moment, there was no assistant minister called Yu Qian in the capital who could turn the tide!

This matter must not be done, not only must it not be done, but it must also destroy their plot!

In the blink of an eye, Lu Zhen had already made a decision in his heart, and his gaze became firm!