Chapter 118: Who Should Be Recommended for the Grand Secretariat?

Watching Chen Hong walk back, Zhu Youxiao furrowed his brow slightly.

He always felt something was off about Chen Hong, though that wasn't his concern.

Glancing at Chen Hong, Zhu Youxiao asked, "How did things go?"

"Your Majesty, Luo Sigong, the Regional Military Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, said they are investigating the matter. Lord Luo believes this incident was orchestrated by collusion. The Embroidered Uniform Guard is searching for the masterminds behind it—once the investigation is complete, they will begin making arrests." Chen Hong hurriedly bowed as he spoke.

Zhu Youxiao nodded lightly.

That was naturally for the best; Luo Sigong had indeed grasped his meaning.

Waving his hand, Zhu Youxiao instructed, "Just keep an eye on it."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong acknowledged.

Meanwhile, outside the palace.

Certain news had already spread like wildfire.

For instance, countless people throughout the court had submitted memorials of impeachment—impeaching the Donglin Faction for forming cliques for private gain; impeaching Zou Yuanbiao, Yang Lian, and others for colluding with Li Ruzhen to frame Xiong Tingbi, and afterward deceiving Your Majesty while shielding Yao Zongwen and the rest.

Once such news spread, it immediately stirred up an enormous uproar.

Nothing like this had happened before; now that it had, it proved someone had made their move.

Everyone had spent so many years in officialdom that they were all too familiar with such tactics—especially the members of the Donglin Faction.

Because this was the very tactic the Donglin men excelled at. Now that it had been turned against them, the taste in their mouths was far from pleasant.

Some people immediately began to panic.

As for those who had been taken away by the Eastern Depot, there was no need to mention them—even if they panicked, there was nothing they could do, and since they were already in the Eastern Depot, no messages could reach them.

The ones panicking were those still outside.

Such as Gao Panlong, and Sun Shenxing, the Minister of Rites, among others.

The two men met once again.

This time, neither of their expressions was very pleasant.

With matters having developed to this point, some things could no longer be left undone.

The two exchanged a glance.

Gao Panlong spoke up: "Lord Sun, I fear the time has come to cut off one's own arm to save the body."

Sun Shenxing's expression was also rather grim, but he knew that if they continued to hold their ground like this, everything would truly be finished.

"Do you have any plan?" Sun Shenxing looked at Gao Panlong and asked with a grave expression.

Gao Panlong pondered briefly, then said directly: "Yang Lian, Zou Yuanbiao, and the others can no longer be protected—otherwise, trouble is easily invited. We need to mobilize our people, and we also need to have our own man at the center of power."

Sun Shenxing naturally understood the meaning behind Gao Panlong's words, because what Gao Panlong had said was simply too clear.

Abandoning Yang Lian and Zou Yuanbiao was an unavoidable choice at the moment—in fact, there was no other choice left.

Whether it was Gao Panlong or Sun Shenxing, the Minister of Rites, both knew in their hearts who it was that had made this move.

If they chose to resist, they would inevitably face a siege from all sides.

Therefore, the most critical thing now was how to win back Your Majesty's trust.

In this matter, no one was innocent.

So Gao Panlong raised another point—that they needed to have their own man at the center of power.

The so-called center of power referred to the Grand Secretariat.

If it were merely the center of the state, the two of them were already considered to be at the center.

Glancing at Gao Panlong, Sun Shenxing felt somewhat helpless.

Gao Panlong truly was no match for Han Kuang. From the very beginning of this affair, Han Kuang had never approved of doing things this way. He felt that whatever needed to be dealt with should be dealt with—if you committed a mistake, you had to take the beating.

It was Gao Panlong who had insisted on protecting these men, which was why matters had developed to their current state.

Even now, Gao Panlong still harbored delusions of luck, thinking that by abandoning Yang Lian and the others, he could regain Your Majesty's trust.

That was simply wishful thinking. Where in the world was there such a good deal?

Glancing at Gao Panlong, Sun Shenxing didn't say much more, only asking: "Do you have a suitable candidate?"

"Yes." Gao Panlong nodded and said: "Ye Xianggao."

Hearing Gao Panlong mention that name, Sun Shenxing nearly laughed out loud.

He was certainly no stranger to Ye Xianggao. A veteran of the Donglin Faction, with deep seniority and strong ability.

The Donglin Faction had long wanted him to enter the Grand Secretariat and serve as Chief Grand Secretary.

The problem now was that Liu Yijing, the current Chief Grand Secretary, wouldn't step down—so what was Ye Xianggao supposed to do?

Even if Ye Xianggao did come, distant water couldn't quench a nearby fire.

By the time he actually arrived in the capital to take up the post of Chief Grand Secretary, the yellow flowers would have long since gone cold.

Besides, how could Ye Xianggao even get the position now?

Liu Yijing had been willing to give up the seat before, but would he still be willing now?

With this attack being so fierce, old Sun dared to say that Liu Yijing, that old fox, was the one pulling strings behind the scenes. If it weren't for Liu Yijing masterminding this from behind, old Sun would resign from office.

Never mind Liu Yijing—the several Grand Secretaries in the Grand Secretariat had likely all made their moves as well. Even those who hadn't acted were standing aside watching the show, such as Han Kuang.

Under such circumstances, you, Gao Panlong, still wanted to push Ye Xianggao into the position of Chief Grand Secretary—you might as well be dreaming!

In fact, Sun Shenxing felt that he himself was more suitable. Only, he had no way to gain everyone's support.

Even more critically, he couldn't pass the hurdle with Your Majesty.

If they truly wanted to recommend a Grand Secretary, then what needed to be considered was how to get Your Majesty's approval, not choosing the most advantageous candidate.

The optimal choice was one that Your Majesty would agree to while also being most advantageous to their own side.

"I think Sun Chengzong would be more suitable." Sun Shenxing spoke up.

After saying this, Sun Shenxing fell silent, leaving Gao Panlong some time to react. He believed Gao Panlong would be able to figure it out.

First of all, Sun Chengzong was right there in Beijing, so as long as he entered the Grand Secretariat, he could take effect immediately.

Secondly, Sun Chengzong could also be counted as part of the Donglin Faction. Although his involvement was not deep, if anyone wanted to drag him in deeper, everyone would inevitably pull him to the depths.

As for the problem of Sun Chengzong's insufficient standing within the Donglin Faction, that did not matter either — as long as their side gave him enough support, it would be fine.

Finally, and most importantly, Sun Chengzong was His Majesty's teacher.

Setting aside everything else, the mere fact that he could enter the palace and see His Majesty at any time was something no one else could match.

Nominating Sun Chengzong to enter the Grand Secretariat would receive His Majesty's approval.

From these three perspectives, no one could stand aside.

Gao Panlong's expression turned somewhat grim.

He naturally knew the reason Sun Shenxing had raised this matter. Sun Shenxing and Sun Chengzong had a good relationship, unlike his own side. He himself was a die-hard member of the Donglin Faction, while both Sun Shenxing and Sun Chengzong fell somewhat short of that.

At such a critical moment, what Sun Shenxing was thinking of was seizing power?!

Once Sun Chengzong was recommended, if those two joined forces, they would absolutely gain enormous power.

The key thing was that there was still a Han Kuang watching covetously from the side.

But things had reached this point, and there was truly no other way.