The Empress's No.1 Lackey

He paused, his smile fading:

"Though it's unrelated to the rebels, they dared to publicly bribe a courtier, already violating 'Great Yu Law.' Do they still think they can get out of prison?

As a government officer, it is my duty to supervise other officials; I will personally draft a memorial to inform Your Majesty. As for these nearly 30,000 taels of illicit money…"

He bent down and hoisted two large chests of gold, silver, and jade artifacts onto the table.

Casually, he scooped out a pile of silver ingots and placed it aside.

Pointing at the remaining two chests, he changed his statement:

"As for these remaining over 20,000 taels of illicit money, wrap them up with seals and send them to the palace along with the memorial."

He then pushed the allocated silver ingots forward:

"The brothers at the hall entrance have been running around tirelessly these past few days. I will pay out of my own pocket. Distribute this silver, I am clear in rewarding and punishing, and I will not mistreat our own people, understand?"

The four subordinates underneath him were dumbstruck.

No one answered for a moment.

Zhao Douan couldn't be bothered about his subordinates' emotions and after a moment of thought, added:

"Right, there's one more thing. I want you to tap into our channels and spread another message.

Say that the reason I took the money but didn't perform the tasks, and instead bit back by enforcing the law under pretext, is because I am targeted by the other Eight Halls, unable to get my cases, resenting the Lord for his partiality and unfair handling.

I am worried about not passing this month's evaluation, hence I resorted to this measure."

A series of stratagems!

At this moment, Zheng Laojiu, who was holding a green porcelain tea cup and tucking the residence report under his arm, was the first to understand.

He finally understood the true purpose behind Zhao Douan's mysterious actions.

Revenge?

That was just incidental!

His real goal was to escalate the matter to attract the entire court's attention.

It is imaginable, once Zhao Douan presents the memorial and the "illicit money" to the court, the attacks against him from the court will temporarily fall silent.

Though enforcing the law under pretext is shameful, the fact of bribery is right before their eyes, giving grounds for argument and compromise.

Zhao Douan can completely explain that:

He was merely "cooperating for an investigation" when catching people, planning to release them after a day or two of interrogation.

But unfortunately, a group of corrupt officials came to bribe, and he couldn't be blamed.

Thus, if the Empress and Yuan Li show a bit of bias, this matter can easily be raised high and set down gently.

At most, Zhao Douan would end up with a minor salary penalty, which is hardly painful or itchy.

Yet, he would fiercely retaliate against a group of parasites.

Simultaneously, the Li Party could also argue that their bribery was not intentional but rather due to being misled by rumors, which is pardonable.

Even if just to save face, they had to try their best to bail out these fifty-eight people.

At this time, Zhao Douan would release a message saying he was aggrieved, targeted by a joint effort of the Eight Halls.

Ma Yan, with his intelligence, would certainly understand his intention.

Just a gentle nudge would be enough to forcefully order the Eight Halls to submit and relinquish their cases.

And this would not arouse suspicion that Ma Yan and Zhao Douan were in cahoots.

At the same time, Zhao Douan's manipulation not only demonstrated his capability and authority but also broke through the united blockade of the Eight Halls. Additionally, he quietly siphoned some money from the dirty funds to reward his subordinates and buy their loyalty.

Combining grace and power.

How could the officers of Lihua Hall not be utterly convinced?

To endorse and follow him as their Master?

Killing three birds with one stone.

Though Zheng Laojiu and others couldn't guess all his calculations, seeing just the tip of the iceberg was enough to terrify them.

To hold a sense of awe towards this young superior.

"Subordinate understands, my lord. Rest assured, we will get it done immediately."

Shen Juan, who was normally lazy but clever, also came to a realization. He gave Zhao Douan a deep look and withdrew with a bow.

By then, his heart had completely surrendered, and only at this moment did the title "my lord" truly find its place.

From showing his power to subduing the prominent heads of Lihua Hall, Zhao Douan had only taken three days.

When the four subordinates had left,

Zhao Douan closed his eyes again, listening to the rustling sounds of the lush pear tree in the courtyard.

Quietly contemplating.

The four subordinates thought that at this point, the series of stratagems had ended.

But the truth was, as of now, everything Zhao Douan had been doing was merely a prelude.

"Next, it should be put on the agenda."

Should he try to challenge himself and find the mole within a week?

To give Zhenbao a surprise?

Zhao Douan thought it might be worth a try.

...

That night.

A memorial and two chests of gold and silver treasures, with the privilege of Zhao Douan as "White Horse Governor," were urgently sent into the palace.

The next day, early in the morning.

As the court officials, filled with anger, prepared to question the Empress about the "investigation results," the eunuch publicly read Zhao Douan's memorial.

For a moment, the ministers were silent.

The subsequent development followed Zhao Douan's predictions exactly.

In the pull of the court, the pressure eventually directed towards Ma Yan.

Lord, compelled by the Empress's pressure, had no choice but to convene a meeting of the Eight Halls and thundered furiously.

Those Masters who had been watching the situation and hoping for Zhao Douan's downfall, were scolded mercilessly. After the meeting, everyone was dazed.

They then realized, belatedly, that they seemed to have been outmaneuvered.

Annoyed and angry but helpless, Lord had already issued a fatal order for them to "see to it," to pacify Zhao Douan, and release officials.

To put an end to this farce.

The eight had no choice but to swallow their pride and, with gritted teeth, went together to visit Lihua Hall.

But they were met with a closed door.

...

"My Lord is taking a nap, and it's not good to disturb him, you can first move to the flower hall to wait," Qian Kerou said earnestly.

Her cheeks reddened slightly from lying.

"..."

Tall and slender, with a ponytail and a teardrop mole by her eye, Haitang, the Daffodil Hall Master, looked up at the westward tilting sun.

Expressionlessly she said, "Are you sure Master Zhao is 'napping'?"

The formidable female detective almost gritted her teeth, emphasizing the word "napping" intensely.

Muscular and with a beard as stiff as steel needles, Iron Ruler Pass's face twitched, his hands clenched tightly, making a "crack" sound from his knuckles.

Forcefully suppressing the urge to break down the door.

"Haitang, there's no need to trouble the servants."

Zhang Han spoke calmly, this middle-aged man with the bearing of a great general said:

"Let's just wait in the flower hall."

Only three days had passed, and the situation had reversed.

From Zhao Douan sending someone who was rejected, to these senior officials now facing a closed door.

"That Zhao really holds a grudge!"

Haitang said indignantly, wishing she could stab him with a Flying Knife a few times.

They waited for more than an hour.

Just as it was getting dark and their patience was nearly exhausted,

Outside the flower hall, in the fiery red twilight of sunset, slowly walked in a dark silhouette.

Draped in a black uniform embroidered with flying fish, Zhao Douan, upright and handsome, arrived leisurely, with a hint of sleepiness still on his face.

Ironically, though they had been colleagues for several days, this was their first time actually facing each other.

What a guise!

The spirited Haitang's eyes brightened, her urge to sever him with her Flying Knife diminished slightly.

However, very quickly, after exchanging pleasantries, as Zhao Douan made his bold demand, that flicker of positive regard dissipated.

"To settle this matter is simple," Zhao Douan looked around at everyone and smiled,

"I want you each, from your respective Halls, to share all the clues related to the rebels with Lihua Hall, unconditionally."

He paused briefly, then added, "Each of you will speak with me separately."

Whatever the Eight Halls had swallowed from him, Zhao Douan wanted them to spit it out double.