Chapter 268: Chen Yan visits the Duke of Liang's mansion

Duke of Liang's mansion.

Study.

Behind the desk, the ebony chair was covered with a dark-patterned brocade cushion. Beside the chair stood a three-legged bronze furnace, and a wisp of sandalwood incense slowly wound up to the beams.

"It's a real pity that this kid Chen Yan doesn't go to the Nanqu Courtyard to sing big plays!"

"With just a few words, he incited the commoners of Chang'an to almost completely lean toward Yuwen Hu!"

"Amazing!"

Houmochen Yi leaned half-way in the ebony circle chair, his shoulders collapsing loosely. The front of his brocade robe was pulled open by him for half an inch, revealing the moon-white inner garment inside.

He folded his right leg over his left, his toes hooking the tips of his boots and swaying gently. The string of sandalwood Buddhist beads in his hand was twisted slowly, and the pendant at the end tapped out fine sounds on his knee with the movement.

What was top-tier eloquence?

This damn thing was it!

Houmochen Yi had lived for more than half his life and had never seen anyone play supervising an execution with such tricks...

"It's no wonder the Grand Chancellor values this son; it's not without reason!" Zheng Delin breathed out a turbid breath and couldn't help but sigh.

Sometimes, you really had to admit defeat!

Moreover, this kid was only seventeen years old, and his control over public opinion and the hearts of the people had reached a state of perfection...

He directly established the image of Yuwen Hu loving the people like his own children.

Was "terrifying" enough to describe it?

"Heh!"

Houmochen Yi snorted coldly, curled his lips, and said: "That guy Yuwen Hu is also ruthless and decisive enough!"

"He actually didn't hesitate to really abolish Yuwen Lun's royal title and demote him to a commoner!"

The one who was abolished wasn't anyone else, but a royal clan member, their close relative with the same grandfather...

As a result, he didn't even blink, didn't hesitate at all, and just abolished him!

Houmochen Yi inexplicably understood a little why Yuwen Xin chose Yuwen Hu to succeed him before he died.

"Stripping the Prince of Yan of his title not only gave the court and the public an explanation but also established his authority and won the hearts of the people!"

"Good means!"

Zheng Delin stroked his beard, shook his head, and sighed.

To wrap up the smuggling and collusion with the enemy, just killing those five white gloves was far from enough; there had to be high-level people coming out to take the blame...

Choosing Prince of Yan, Yuwen Lun, was wonderful because it controlled the scope of the impact and also held the handles of the other three great Pillar States, making it possible to question and attack at any time with the name of righteousness!

Houmochen Yi stroked his forehead, thoughtful, and asked: "Delin, you say, do we still want to be enemies with opponents like Yuwen Hu and Chen Yan?"

Revenge meant enmity, standing on the opposite side of Yuwen Hu...

He, Houmochen Yi, was different from Zhao Qian and Dugu Zhao; he didn't have such a strong desire for power, and even less of their solid foundation in the court.

Therefore, he had always maintained neutrality, but in the current situation, he was afraid it would be difficult to maintain, and he had to make a choice...

Zheng Delin's gaze froze, and he said in a deep voice: "Old Master, everyone outside says you sacrificed Xu Zhixiang as a pledge of allegiance to the Grand Chancellor..."

"Why don't we completely solidify this statement!"

Because of the existence of this rumor, it completely cut off the possibility of leaning toward the other two great Pillar States. As for the little Emperor, he was simply not within the scope of consideration...

Since things had reached this point, they could completely turn the rumor into reality!

To reverse the current passive situation.

"What you say makes sense..."

Houmochen Yi weighed the pros and cons for a long time, then nodded in agreement: "Yuwen Hu and those two have the assistance of Shang Ting, Yuwen Heng, Chen Yan, and others. With the support of the clans, his winning odds are much greater!"

It couldn't be denied that the two great Pillar States, Zhao Qian and Dugu Zhao, had many old troops, and their power could not be underestimated...

But Yuwen Hu, who held the Emperor in his hands and had many talents under his command, was much more powerful!

Adding himself, he might not be able to fight, so it would be better to stand on the side of the Yuwen Hu brothers...

"Old Master, the Mingjing Si Superintendent has come to visit!"

At this moment, the Duke of Liang's mansion steward knocked on the door and entered, saying respectfully.

"Who did you say came to visit?" Houmochen Yi was stunned and asked.

He never expected that just as he was talking about him, he would come directly...

"It's Mingjing Si Superintendent Chen Yan!"

The steward repeated in detail: "He and his attendants are waiting in the front hall right now..."

"Invite him in quickly!"

"You must not be slow in treating Superintendent Chen!"

After a brief moment of shock, Houmochen Yi suddenly came to his senses. While urging the steward, he didn't forget to tidy up his slightly messy clothes.

A moment later.

Duke's mansion.

Reception hall.

"Greetings, Grand Minister of Works!"

Chen Yan saw Houmochen Yi rushing over from afar, put down the teacup in his hand, stood up unhurriedly, cupped his hands, and saluted: "This official has rashly come to visit and disturbed you!"

"Hahahaha!"

Houmochen Yi laughed, stepped forward to hold Chen Yan's hand, as if they were extremely familiar, and said: "What are you saying, Superintendent Chen?"

"If you hadn't come today, this old man was planning to go to your mansion to sit for a while..."

Houmochen Yi put his posture extremely low, even though there was a generation gap between the two.

But there was no help for it; he had fought countless battles in his life and knew even better that it was easy to dodge open spears but hard to guard against hidden arrows. He was truly afraid of this kind of person who played dirty...

"It seems this official and the Grand Minister of Works thought of the same thing!" Chen Yan smiled indifferently, looked at this youngest Pillar State, and followed his words.

"Yes!"

Houmochen Yi nodded and instructed the steward: "Go and brew the Gu Zhu Purple Bamboo tea that this old man treasures!"

The servants of the Duke's mansion moved extremely fast, quickly brewed the Gu Zhu Purple Bamboo tea, and presented it.

"Hmm, the fragrance is refreshing, mellow and long-lasting; it is truly a top-notch good tea!"

Chen Yan picked up this precious tea, blew lightly on the floating heat, took a shallow sip, and sighed.

"As long as Superintendent Chen likes it..."

Houmochen Yi smiled and asked tentatively: "I wonder what is the reason for the Superintendent's visit today?"

"It's not a big deal?"

Chen Yan put down the teacup, waved his hand lightly, and laughed: "It's just to send two things to the Grand Minister of Works!"

"Two things?"

Houmochen Yi frowned, muttered, and asked puzzled: "I wonder what they are?"

Although this young Superintendent in front of him spoke in a very kind and gentle manner, he always had a bad premonition...

What kind of thing could be worth the dignified Mingjing Si Superintendent coming to send it in person?

"Xu Zhixiang's confession!"

"And the evidence found in the Jinxiu Merchant Guild!"

"Please take a look, Grand Minister of Works..."

Chen Yan's mouth curled slightly upward, raised his hand and waved two fingers, signaling Zhu Yi to pass the things over.

After Houmochen Yi took it and flipped through it, his spine felt cold, cold sweat streamed down his temples, instantly soaking his inner garment, sticking to his back like a layer of ice. His Adam's apple rolled up and down, and he blurted out: "Nonsense!"

"This is all nonsense!"

"This old man has always been upright and clean; how could I possibly be related to that Xu Zhixiang?"

"Please, Superintendent, be clear!"

Having said that, he cupped his hands toward Chen Yan.

Undoubtedly, every single item pointed to him, and it could be said that the evidence was solid...

But admitting it was impossible!

It was just that the expected attack and questioning didn't appear. Chen Yan nodded in agreement unexpectedly: "This official also thinks so!"

He paused and continued: "The Grand Minister of Works is a pillar of Great Zhou, one of the eight Pillar States; how could you do such a thing?"

"It must be Xu Zhixiang deliberately biting back, trying to frame a loyal official!"

What kind of play is he singing now?... Houmochen Yi looked suspiciously at Chen Yan, who was clearing his name. He was full of disbelief. Although he couldn't see what kind of trick he was playing, he echoed: "Exactly!"

"This old man knew that Superintendent Chen had eyes like torches and would never easily believe these things!"

Chen Yan smiled and nodded, picked up the teacup, changed the subject, and continued: "Of course, this official came here this time, and also brought a task that the Grand Chancellor wants to entrust to the Grand Minister of Works..."

So that's what he was waiting for here... Houmochen Yi heard this, twitched his mouth, and asked with a stiff scalp: "I wonder what task it is?"

A flash of cunning crossed Chen Yan's eyes. He smiled extremely warmly and said: "The Grand Chancellor wants to invite the Grand Minister of Works to preside over the upcoming commercial tax reform!" ===== CHAPTER 269 =====