"It's just an imperial decree, it won't take long. I think we should discuss it together!"
Fan Zhengguo said as he took the scroll from the eunuch and opened it directly in front of Zhang Bangchang.
This way, Zhang Bangchang had no chance to slip away.
However, after reading the contents of the scroll, Zhang Bangchang's expression became strange. Was the Emperor really going to make a move on Cai Jing now?
"Brother Zineng, what do you think of this?"
Compared to Zhang Bangchang's shock, Fan Zhengguo was much calmer.
He had already anticipated this imperial decree before coming and knew it should be issued around this time, which was why he had rushed over.
Seeing this now, he was naturally not surprised.
"Isn't this a bit inappropriate? After all, Prime Minister Cai is still ill. If there's no one to attend to his medication, isn't it a bit..."
In just a moment, Zhang Bangchang made up his mind. Even if he wanted to sever ties with Cai Jing, it couldn't be at this moment.
The political situation in the court changed rapidly. He was originally Wang Fu's man, but now that Wang Fu had fallen, he had defected to Prince Xin, Zhao Zhen. However, he saw that Zhao Zhen seemed to be targeted, and after several tests on the Emperor, he found that the Emperor had no intention of supporting Zhao Zhen, but rather wanted to suppress Zhao Zhen in all aspects.
So, he decisively seized the opportunity, abandoned Zhao Zhen, and once again defected to Cai Jing!
Now that Cai Jing was in trouble, if he were to cut ties with Cai Jing without doing anything, then no one would dare to shelter him in the future!
Even though he had now become the Shaozai of the Great Song Empire, without sufficient support behind him, it would be almost impossible to advance further!
To put it mildly, even if he got lucky and the Emperor was determined to elevate him, he would still need enough power to stabilize his position. Otherwise, wouldn't Li Bangyan be his predecessor?
Being removed from that position was completely different from voluntarily stepping down!
Based on these considerations, he could only try to support Cai Jing for now!
"What you said is not without merit, but this matter is indeed a bit troublesome. He killed someone in front of the Kaifeng Prefecture. This was indeed a bit excessive..."
After listening to Zhang Bangchang, Fan Zhengguo pondered with a blank expression.
"So, Brother Ziyi, do you mean to push back?"
Zhang Bangchang cautiously asked, finally hearing this from Fan Zhengguo.
"Just blocking it back like this doesn't seem quite right either..."
After hearing Fan Zhengguo's words, Zhang Bangchang's eyes were about to roll out of his head. How difficult was it to get this old man to shield him from disaster just once?
Didn't they say that their Fan family were all gentlemen?
Why did this old boy seem even more cunning than him?
"Then how should it be handled?"
Gritting his teeth, Zhang Bangchang said strangely again.
"Why don't you go into the palace, Brother Zineng?"
As Fan Zhengguo spoke, he directly shoved the scroll in his hand into Zhang Bangchang's hand.
Damn it!
As he subconsciously took the scroll, Zhang Bangchang's face turned ashen. This old boy was too heartless!
"It might not be good for me to go alone. Why don't we go together?"
After opening and closing his mouth several times, Zhang Bangchang finally said with a bitter expression, "Why don't we go together?"
"This..."
Fan Zhengguo spoke, pointing to the almost towering memorial on the table beside him.
"Since there are so many memorials already, and we can't finish them today anyway, it doesn't matter if we go together. After all, Prime Minister Cai has dedicated his life to the country. We can't let him be without someone to attend to his medication when he's ill, can we?"
Unable to get Fan Zhengguo to take the brunt of the attack, Zhang Bangchang didn't want to face the danger alone. Now, he had to drag Fan Zhengguo along.
"You're right. In that case, I'll pack up my things, and we'll go right away!"
Seeing that Fan Zhengguo had finally agreed, Zhang Bangchang breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing the awkward smile on Zhang Bangchang's face, Fan Zhengguo, the Taoist priest, didn't say much more. While Zhang Bangchang was talking to the eunuch, he quickly took a memorial from his sleeve and stuffed it into the pile of memorials in front of Zhang Bangchang. Then, he slowly went behind the screen, tidied his clothes, and came out again.
"Sir, something bad has happened!"
Just as they were entering the palace, the servants of the Cai family finally got the news that Cai Tao had been detained at the Kaifeng Prefecture.
"What's all the commotion? Don't you know the Prime Minister has just fallen asleep?"
Hearing the commotion outside the door, Fan Shiyong angrily pushed open the door and came out.
"Sir, the academician has been detained at the Kaifeng Prefecture!"
"Detained at the Kaifeng Prefecture? Explain yourself clearly, what's going on!"
Upon hearing this from the servant, Fan Shiyong trembled. This was a critical juncture. If Cai Tao had an accident at this time, it would not be a joke!
After all, he was an official of the court. How could the Kaifeng Prefecture detain Cai Tao without reason?
"It was... the academician had a dispute with the Prince of Yue's heir, so he had Cai Siyuan beaten to death in the street..."
Seeing his gloomy expression, the servant did not dare to delay and quickly told Fan Shiyong what he had learned.
"Where are the people around the academician? Why didn't they advise him? Are they all fools? Don't they know what time it is? Killing someone in front of the Kaifeng Prefecture! Why don't you go and kill someone in front of the imperial palace!"
After hearing the entire process, Fan Shiyong didn't know how to comment on Cai Tao.
He really couldn't understand how someone could be so stupid!
"Sir, you should quickly think of a solution. I heard that the Kaifeng Prefecture has already reported this matter to the Emperor!"
Although he was scolded by Fan Shiyong, the servant quickly said in a low voice.
"Think of a solution? What solution? Do you think I'm a god? This matter has already become so rotten. What's the use of telling me now that it's reached this point?"
At this moment, Fan Shiyong completely exploded. With such a pig teammate, even a god couldn't help them!