Watching his panicked retreating figure, a faint smile played on Zhang Shaoyou's lips.
Now, he had done almost everything he could. The remaining matters were for the various deities to perform!
"Someone, prepare to open court!"
Draining the dregs of tea in his cup, Zhang Shaoyou ordered casually.
"Yes!"
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"Did he really say that?"
Less than half an hour later, Fan Shiyong, who had hurried back, returned to Cai Jing's study. After listening to his report, Cai Tao's face immediately showed a strong killing intent.
This Zhang Shaoyou was clearly making a move against them!
"Scholar, this matter might truly become troublesome. The Ministry of Personnel must make plans early!"
"Make plans early? What plans? Should I set fire to the Ministry of Personnel? If I had that much time, I'd rather just kill this fellow surnamed Zhang! A mere Junior Secretary of Kaifeng Prefecture dares to meddle in such matters!"
As soon as Fan Shiyong finished speaking, Cai Tao couldn't help but stand up directly.
"Stop! What do you think you're doing?"
Seeing him about to walk out, Cai Jing, who had been expressionless, immediately reprimanded him again.
"What am I doing? What else can I do? I'll take people to smash his Kaifeng Prefecture right now!"
As Cai Tao spoke, he walked directly towards a treasured sword hanging in a corner of the study.
"No! Scholar, absolutely not! This matter is clearly aimed at you. If you act impulsively now, won't you fall right into their trap?"
Seeing his impulsive behavior, Fan Shiyong was truly startled.
This was Bianliang City!
If he really took people to smash Kaifeng Prefecture, he would probably be sent to the imperial prison before he even got out!
"If I don't go, won't we fall into their trap? Don't you know how deadly those few ledgers are? They've already put a knife to my throat, and we're still here scheming. By the time you finish scheming, your head will already be severed! If that old man in the palace really intends to deal with us, I won't be able to escape that blow even if I do nothing!"
"You beast, are you trying to anger me to death?"
Hearing his treasonous words, Cai Jing trembled all over, furious.
"Isn't what I'm saying true? Does that old man in the palace not know what I've been doing? Since he can play deaf and dumb, he'll have to tolerate me smashing Kaifeng Prefecture!"
"Guards! Guards! Lock up this unfilial son! Lock him up!"
Cai Jing could no longer tolerate Cai Tao's self-destructive behavior. This fellow had completely lost his mind.
"What good will locking me up do? I think you might as well send me directly to Kaifeng Prefecture and show righteousness by punishing your own kin! You've always looked down on me, haven't you? It's a good opportunity to mend your relationship with your eldest son after I'm dead!"
Hearing Cai Tao's words, Cai Jing, who was already consumed by anger, truly felt a darkness descend before his eyes.
Seeing Cai Jing swaying precariously, Fan Shiyong quickly stepped forward and supported him.
"You, you!"
"What about me? Aren't what I'm saying true? Among your sons, only the eldest is truly your son in your heart! Even though he has committed acts of rebellion, you always say he is most like you, don't you?"
Feeling Cai Jing's trembling body, Fan Shiyong quickly tried to signal Cai Tao with his eyes: "Scholar! Say a few less words, Master's health cannot withstand it!"
"Pfft––"
Just as Cai Tao was about to say something else, Cai Jing, who was at the brink of collapse, spat out a mouthful of bright red blood.
"Master! Master!"
"Father! Father! Someone, quickly, quickly!"
Seeing Cai Jing spit blood, Cai Tao, in his fury, suddenly snapped back to reality.
Ultimately, the Cai family's current status was all built upon Cai Jing. If Cai Jing fell, the entire Cai family would crumble in an instant.
With Cai Jing spitting blood, chaos erupted throughout the Cai family. While the Kaifeng Prefecture was bustling with trials, the Cai family was in turmoil. However, Han Mo, the instigator of all this, was enjoying himself immensely.
Comfortably lying in a brand new pine wood tub, soaking in hot water, he felt extremely content.
"Brother Han, you risked your life to come all this way, just to invite me for a bath?"
In another wooden tub beside Han Mo, Chen Dong, who was also enjoying himself, groaned comfortably before speaking slowly.
"Brother is right. I invited you here this time because I have something I need Brother Chen's help with!"
Hearing Chen Dong's question, Han Mo did not hide anything and spoke directly.
"You need my help? You are now in a position of great power, and you come to me, a Taixuesheng, for help?"
After hearing his words, Chen Dong couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Indeed! Furthermore, this matter is extremely dangerous, or objectively speaking, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a nine-in-ten chance of death!"
Reaching for a piece of preserved fruit from the nearby shelf and popping it into his mouth, Han Mo said with half-closed eyes.
"Nine in ten chance of death? Brother Han, why do you think I will definitely help you?"
After hearing Han Mo's words, Chen Dong asked with a strange expression.
"What if I told you I guessed it?"
"Guessed it? Hahaha!"
After hearing Han Mo's answer, Chen Dong couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Perhaps you should tell me then!"
After a long while, seeing that Han Mo had no intention of explaining, Chen Dong said with a smile again.
"Actually, what I want to do is very simple. This matter has already been written down and is on the shelf next to you, Brother Shaoyang!"
Hearing him say this, Chen Dong then discovered that under the shelf next to him, there was indeed a small booklet.
"This?"
Picking it up and showing it to Han Mo, Chen Dong asked with some confusion.
"That's right. Brother Chen, read it first, and then we'll talk. I believe these things will open your eyes!"
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Cai Jing had strictly controlled the content of the discussions with the Jin envoys to the realm of high court officials.
The common folk in the marketplaces were still waiting for the imperial army to reclaim their lost territories.
"Brother Han, is everything in here true?"
After reading the content of the small booklet, Chen Dong's expression immediately turned serious.
"That's right, I returned for this very matter!"
"What do you plan to do?"
Without much transition, Chen Dong asked with a grim expression.