Chapter 291: Sending the Master into the Palace

"You are slandering me!"

"How can you groundlessly smear someone's innocence!"

"You are wantonly vilifying me; I will not stand with you!"

Chen Guanlou watched the other man's theatrical anger and roaring with cold eyes, saying only one thing: "Someone, send the old master to the Imperial Palace to complete his mission!"

"You, you, you, Chen Guanlou, who gave you permission to do this? You are not allowed to do this. I am not going; I am not going anywhere. Whoever dares to touch me, I will die for them to see." Lu Mingchuan was anxious, truly anxious.

He had hidden in the Heavenly Prison specifically to avoid going to the Imperial Palace. Chen Guanlou sending him to the Imperial Palace meant all his efforts were in vain.

No, no, no, no one could send him to the Imperial Palace.

"Even if I die, I must die in the palace to show that my death was worthwhile!"

Chen Guanlou was unyielding. With a wave of his hand, the prison guards rushed into the office, lifting Lu Mingchuan by his hands and feet and carrying him out the door.

The commotion was loud enough that the prison guards all came out to watch the fun.

Chen Guanlou stood under the eaves and took the opportunity to shout at everyone: "Mr. Lu is a great Confucian of this age. Feeling the current situation, his heart is very anxious. As a great Confucian, a great Confucian famous throughout the capital, how can he be absent at the most critical moment? His sense of mission does not allow the old master to continue living in the Heavenly Prison. Therefore, I have decided to help the master and send him into the palace. What do you all think?"

"Good!" said those who didn't know the truth.

"The master is benevolent and righteous!" said those who were flattering him.

"The master must persuade His Majesty to quickly withdraw his supernatural powers." said those watching the fun.

"The master must tell His Majesty about our difficulties; the capital cannot continue to be in chaos." said those who still held onto a shred of idealism.

"Send the master into the palace, send the master into the palace!"

The prison guards shouted in unison. At this moment, Lu Mingchuan's image became incredibly tall. The great Confucian famous throughout the capital suddenly became concrete in the hearts of the prison guards, having a specific appearance. It was just like Mr. Lu: worrying about the country and the people, who else but him, generously going to his death!

One cannot become a great Confucian without dying!

Benevolence and righteousness!

Good courage!

Worthy of being a great Confucian!

This is the conduct a great Confucian should have!

Mr. Lu had just been able to walk, yet he was already thinking about the major affairs of the imperial court and insisted on entering the palace; it was so moving.

Regardless of whether the matter was true or false, everyone was professional at stirring up trouble.

The prison guards volunteered one after another to personally send Mr. Lu into the palace.

Chen Guanlou finally named Xiao Jin and Lu Datou, letting them lead the way to send Lu Mingchuan into the palace. This was a major event and could not afford the slightest mistake.

"If you encounter government troops on the way, just state your intentions. The government troops all understand the great principles and all have a heart that loves the country and the people; they definitely won't stop you."

Xiao Jin was half-doubting; this was pure nonsense.

Lu Datou laughed, his smile particularly lewd, and he whispered: "How did the one surnamed Lu offend you?"

"Nonsense! Do I look like someone who would use public office to settle a private grudge?" Chen Guanlou said righteously.

Lu Datou nodded repeatedly; he looked exactly like it.

Chen Guanlou snorted coldly. "You just need to send him to the palace gate; this matter isn't difficult."

Lu Datou secretly made a throat-slitting gesture. "Should we... halfway?"

"Absolutely not! We prison guards of the Heavenly Prison eat the government's food, so we must follow the government's rules; how can we knowingly break the law? Don't you mess around. The purpose of your trip is only to help Mr. Lu perform a great act of righteousness; how can you dirty your own hands? Lu Datou, don't add to my troubles."

"Understood. Leave this to me; I guarantee he'll be sent into the palace." Lu Datou patted his chest, looking very smug.

Xiao Jin bared his teeth.

Chen Guanlou beckoned him closer. "Ensure Mr. Lu's safety on the way; make sure he doesn't leave your sight, and don't let him run away."

Xiao Jin was stunned for a moment, then realized. "Don't worry, my lord, I'll keep my eyes glued to him."

"Go!"

Lu Mingchuan had bitter words he couldn't speak. Facing the surging crowd of prison guards, he simply couldn't refuse.

Chen Guanlou kidnapped him with public opinion, leaving him in a dilemma.

He was resentful; his heart was roaring.

He was sent into the hanging basket, looked back, and stared fixedly at Chen Guanlou: this matter wasn't over.

Chen Guanlou laughed, waving his arms at the other man. "Master, have a safe journey; I will pray for you in the Heavenly Prison. If you have any mishaps, don't worry, the Heavenly Prison will always have a place for you."

Bah!

Lu Mingchuan was finally sent away.

Chen Guanlou felt comfortable; he went down to the Heavenly Prison to inspect the cells.

One meal a day made the imprisoned officials all wilted; none of them had any spirit. Their eyes were bright, however—bright from hunger.

"Prison Clerk Chen, how is it outside?"

"Who exactly is rebelling?"

"Is His Highness the Crown Prince alright?"

"Give us more food; one meal a day isn't enough."

"It's good that it's chaotic. When the new Emperor ascends the throne and grants a general amnesty, we can all get out."

"Hurry up and attack the Heavenly Prison to rescue us who have been wronged."

As he walked, he was met with the wailing of imprisoned officials. Some wanted to learn the latest news from his mouth, some wanted food, and some wished for the world to be in chaos.

Finally, he arrived in front of Zhao Mingqiao's cell door. "Master Zhao, there is one thing I must tell you. Mr. Lu is righteous and insisted on leaving the Heavenly Prison to go to the Imperial Palace to persuade His Majesty. I couldn't stop him and could only fulfill his wish. Just now, I sent him away. Don't worry, I sent enough prison guards to escort him; I will ensure Mr. Lu arrives at the Imperial Palace safely."

Zhao Mingqiao was dazed for a moment, looked deeply at Chen Guanlou, and then sighed. "Thank you for fulfilling his wish."

Eh?

He wouldn't really believe it, would he?

"You aren't surprised?"

Zhao Mingqiao laughed. "From the beginning, I opposed my teacher hiding in the Heavenly Prison to avoid disaster; this is not the conduct of a gentleman. However, my teacher insisted on it, and as a student, I couldn't say anything. Thank you, Prison Clerk Chen, for finally letting my teacher step out of the Heavenly Prison to do what he should be doing most."

Having said this, he bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude.

Chen Guanlou:...

He felt he had acted like a villain in vain.

He smiled awkwardly. "As long as you don't mind. I thought you would be worried about Mr. Lu's safety."

"How can personal safety be compared to the safety of the country and the imperial court? Right now, His Highness the Crown Prince is in imminent danger, and His Majesty is acting arbitrarily; someone must stand up and persuade His Majesty not to continue down the wrong path. It is our duty. If I were still in the court, I would definitely be in the palace. Even if I die, it would be a death that is worthwhile."

"Good!" Chen Guanlou truly admired him. "Mr. Lu taking you as a disciple—he didn't lose out; he made a huge profit. It's just a pity that the teacher's conduct is flawed; he is unworthy!"

Zhao Mingqiao lowered his eyes, pretending not to hear these slanderous words.

He looked worried and whispered to himself, "Is there still salvation for this world?"

"Of course there is. As long as people aren't all dead, there is still salvation for the world."

"Who will save it?"

"Not you, not me; it must be someone else." Chen Guanlou appeared very relaxed. The difference between him and others was that everyone pinned their hopes on the Crown Prince, on the old Emperor suddenly waking up. But he thought, if worst comes to worst, he'd just quit, overturn this world, and recast the empire.

This world didn't necessarily need the old Emperor. ===== CHAPTER 292 =====