Chapter 88: Prudence without Courage
Everyone recited a few poems. Sima Li, the son of the Minister of Words, was no longer as rebellious as before. Instead, he looked more respectful and happy.

He had never been qualified to attend literary gatherings of this level before.

Although his father was the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, he learned the ways of famous scholars, which were not liked by Confucianists. His father was also a romantic man and had six sons, but he was not outstanding among them, so he hung out with Shentu Yuan and others.

Now that I’m here today, I must perform well!
After reciting some poems, everyone would of course talk about the affairs of the court.

Dong Xiu De started the conversation first. He drank a glass of wine, leaned on the railing, and looked towards Baihu City. "These past few days have been really turbulent..."

Wang Qixing, the eldest son of the Minister of the Ministry of Elephants, was over thirty years old. He studied under the Confucian school of prophecy and divination. He understood the meaning of the music and walked to Dong Xiude with a glass of wine. He looked at Baihu City and said, "The wind comes from the tiger, and the clouds come from the dragon. The changes in the wind and clouds are caused by the fight between the dragon and the tiger. However, in Feng Shui, the blue dragon always suppresses the white tiger. This is a good omen for the world."

Sima Li was very clear about what Wang Qixing said. He walked to Dong Xiude with humility and snorted, "It's because some people don't know the weather, and people are in a panic recently."

When he said this, everyone looked a little uncomfortable.

As soon as the "Plea Letter" was published, everyone present was beaten twice when they went home, except for a very few people who escaped being beaten.

Dong Xiu De smiled and continued, "Do you know what happened to me today?"

"What's the matter?"

Dong Xiu De said, "The second son of General Hu Wei's mansion has reached the eighth level of martial arts and sent an invitation to your mansion."

Sima Li was incredulous when he heard that Zhou Tieyi had reached the eighth level of martial arts. "Only one month has passed. How could he have broken through to the eighth level of martial arts?"

You should know that the champion Xiao Yuanshan also took 27 days to break through to the ninth level of martial arts!
The others were also surprised, but no one asked directly like Sima Li.

Their eyes were focused, thinking about more things.

For example, is there a chance to stir up conflicts within the Zhou family?

They are children of aristocratic families, and even among brothers, too many of them have become enemies because of the division of family resources.

In particular, the Zhou family’s military power is directly related to the opportunity to reach the third rank.

But after thinking about it for a moment, everyone felt that it was unlikely.

The Zhou family also has the Taiyi Temple, so it must be handled properly.

Sometimes they all couldn't help but envy the Zhou family for having such a small family background for several generations.

Wang Qixing asked, "Is Brother Xiu De going to the banquet?"

As soon as he finished speaking, another person interrupted him, "Brother Xiu De is the elder of that kid. How can an elder congratulate a younger person? It's not in accordance with etiquette."

"Yes, so I sent the messenger to the door with courtesy and asked him to go back and report the matter."

Everyone fell silent.

Sima Li was a little dazed. Why did everyone stop talking?

"That's unreasonable!"

Zhang Qiming, the son of the chief academic officer of the Imperial Academy, shouted angrily.

"Did the messenger really dare to let Brother Xiu De deliver the gift to the door?!"

As soon as he said this, people around him naturally echoed him, sneering, "After all, after entering the palace today, others have been rewarded three times a day, even the errand boys are arrogant. Today he asked Brother Xiu De to see him off with courtesy, and if he comes to our house tomorrow, shouldn't we also see him off with courtesy? He is really a mean man who has achieved his goal!"

Wang Qixing did not agree casually. He looked at Dong Xiu De. Dong Xiu De would not talk nonsense about this matter. However, this incident also meant that the Zhou family was too arrogant.

It’s okay for Zhou Tieyi to be arrogant, but if all his followers are so arrogant, they really deserve a lesson.

Zhang Qiming, the son of the Imperial Academy's chief priest, glanced at Sima Li and said, "The Zhou family has gained power over the years and has the emperor's favor. We shouldn't have said anything, but even a retainer needs to be escorted by the Sima's son. I wonder how bold the retainers in the court are. Someone must report them to serve as a warning to others!"

Sima Li didn't understand what Zhang Qiming said before, but when he looked at him and said this, he immediately understood and his expression became even more excited. This is exactly what their censors are good at.

Zhou Tieyi, I originally thought that I would have to wait a few days before taking revenge, but I didn't expect the opportunity to take revenge would come so soon!

Dong Xiu De smiled and thought, why would his father need to take action to deal with Zhou family's disciples and former officials?

Just when everyone was preparing to discuss which student or former official of the Zhou family to start investigating and at which link, the owner of Wangshu Tower came in to report that there was news from the Simin Mansion.

Dong Xiu De smiled and took the letter from the owner of Wangshu Tower and opened it.

There was a message inside.

After Zhou Tieyi left the palace, he took five carts of property to the residence of Changsun Dan, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice. When he left, he left all five carts of property in the mansion.

Dong Xiude looked confused as he took a quick look. The people around him had already started discussing where to start the investigation, so the environment became even more noisy, and he couldn't help but shout in a low voice, "Everyone, be quiet."

Everyone looked at Dong Xiu De in surprise. Weren't you the one who started this trouble today?

Dong Xiu De was the only one who couldn't understand it, and he knew that he was the one in the dark, so he passed the message to Wang Qixing next to him and asked him to help him figure it out.

Wang Qixing looked at it for a moment and sighed, "It's too late! He wants to borrow Tian En Zheng Long to check himself!"

Self-examination is not an easy task. You need to convince the people below you and stabilize their morale, otherwise you will only lose your composure and blame each other.

The five carts of wealth that Zhou Tieyi brought back from the palace were the reason why the people below were convinced.

The wealth with royal seals fell into the hands of various disciples and former officials. They naturally knew how to weigh whether the things they had coveted in the past were more important or long-term wealth and honor were more important.

Power and money, power and money. Only power and strength can restrain people’s obsession with wealth.

And now, the Zhou family has taken out both!
The eldest son is a talented person. He made military achievements at the age of 22 and was promoted to deputy commander-in-chief of Yulin Guard. In the future, he will be able to take on the military power of the Zhou family.

The second son was the first person to open the sea in the country, and was favored by the emperor. He was rewarded three times a day and given countless treasures, which he could share with his disciples.

Even for those who are beyond redress, the Zhou family now asks them to plead guilty, and as long as it is not a capital crime, everyone has to plead guilty.

Because this is caused by the political situation, no wonder the Zhou family is so unkind.

As long as the Zhou family survives and prospers, there will be hope for their descendants.

Dong Xiu De understood immediately and his face became solemn.

Could this boy really be so thoughtful?
You have to know that Zhou Tieyi has been busy with more than one thing these days.

Everything is extremely complicated and requires careful consideration. How can we plan everything well and make every step just right?

Moreover, each step can fit in perfectly and connect the previous and the next.

Just like a top national player, he will set the pattern for the next game.

A pattern that has already been verified!
Even though he was scolded at the Right General's Mansion that day, it now seems like a brilliant move, and it even makes people wonder, although Zhou Tieyi seemed to be begging for mercy respectfully that day, his real purpose was actually to offend the Right General!
Only by offending the three officials in succession can the emperor bestow greater honors on you!
"No chance?"

Dong Xiu De was still unwilling to give in.

“There are two opportunities.”

At this time, Wang Qixing didn't bother to speak official jargon, "First, cut the Gordian knot, like what he did in Tianbao Tower."

When he heard the word Tianbao Tower, Sima Li's legs shivered.

Dong Xiu De frowned, this meant that they should disregard all consequences and start from one department directly. Then, those who made mistakes would not only be the disciples and old officials of the Zhou family. However, when it came time to divide the blame, the people of the Zhou family should get the most.

Just as Zhou Tieyi thought.

As a person who checks the accounts, how can you be faster than someone who uses the account book to cancel the accounts?

"That's not right."

Wang Qixing was not surprised. "Second, investigate slowly. The law is long and wide, and nothing can escape it. There are always some accounts that cannot be settled, but that will take at least a few months."

It is natural to spend several months checking the accounts if one wants to take over a second-class general's mansion like the Zhou family.

But Wang Qixing didn't say anything more.

The reason is that the political situation is changing too fast. Why did Zhou Tieyi tell everyone openly that he was going to settle the account? Wasn't it because he wanted to buy some more time?

If I were to do it myself, I would definitely cut the Gordian knot.

He glanced at Dong Xiu De's relaxed brows and sighed in his heart that although this man had plans, he was used to having a smooth life and was ultimately lacking in bravery.

Sure enough, after listening to Wang Qixing's second suggestion, Dong Xiude nodded and said, "Then investigate slowly. In this world, even a drop of water can wear away a stone, and it won't take just one or two days."

Sima Li stared blankly at the two people who were discussing. Wasn't he ready to impeach the Zhou family's students and old officials just now? Didn't he come here just to pass the news back to his father? Why did he suddenly investigate slowly?
What exactly was written on that piece of paper?
He blurted out, "Are we just going to watch Zhou Zhong the barbarian run rampant in Tianjing?"

Everyone around looked at Sima Li in surprise, thinking that they were right not to let this idiot come before.

One or two people with bad intentions came forward and pulled Sima Li to drink and chat.

(End of this chapter)