Chapter 770: They Are Just Jealous

It seemed Medical Official Mu had been persuaded, heaven knows.

Days were calm and peaceful.

As for the case of Lord Zuo, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, it was just as previously guessed: Emperor Jian Shi issued an imperial edict pardoning him, dismissing him from office in a justified manner, and ordering him to leave the capital within a month and roll back to his hometown to retire.

Sun Daojing took his subordinates and ran to the Heavenly Prison in person to welcome Lord Zuo out of prison. He even booked a banquet at a restaurant.

Lord Zuo had no disasters or difficulties, had not experienced the court, and had not experienced torture; he left prison smoothly. This prison stay was like a vacation, and other convicted officials were extremely envious.

But Lord Zuo was very dissatisfied.

After learning the content of the edict, he kept a coffin-like face and gave no one face. It didn't matter who came.

When he finished washing up and left prison, he saw Sun Daojing at a glance and immediately snorted coldly. "Are you very proud?"

Sun Daojing smiled indifferently. "You jest. Today is the day you leave prison, and everyone is happy for you. I specially brought everyone to welcome you."

As soon as the words fell, the subordinates stepped forward to offer congratulations.

"What is there to congratulate?" Lord Zuo did not mince words, flicking his sleeves, appearing very angry. "I have been dismissed from office and driven out of the capital; is that worth congratulating?"

Sun Daojing retorted unhurriedly, "Avoiding the disaster of prison, don't you know how to congratulate? Or are you dissatisfied with His Majesty's decision!"

"I am very satisfied with His Majesty's decision. But I am dissatisfied with you bunch of villains! Don't think I don't know what you are planning. You really think that by driving me out of the Ministry of Justice, driving me out of the capital, and forcing me to retire, you can have peace. Dream on! Old Hai, and that Xie Gechen, they were both former officials of the Donggong; sooner or later, they will reshuffle the Ministry of Justice. By then, every single one of you will follow in my footsteps."

"You really know how to joke." Sun Daojing smiled faintly; clearly, he wanted to mock, but his expression appeared very sincere. "No matter who is the Prime Minister, they need people to do things. No matter how many former Donggong officials there are, they cannot occupy the entire court. Besides, not all former Donggong officials are talents."

"Sun Daojing, you flatter His Majesty all day long, but has His Majesty ever looked at you more? You, sooner or later, will be finished." Lord Zuo had no scruples and cursed the other party in public.

The subordinates changed their expressions one after another, wondering whether they should speak out to reprimand and condemn, or remain silent.

Before this group of quails could make a decision, Sun Daojing spoke first: "Don't bother worrying about it. Today, you are a loser, and I am the Minister of Justice. Please, the banquet has already been prepared, waiting for you."

"You surnamed Sun, back when we were competing for the position of Minister, you played tricks and snatched my position. Don't be proud for too long. Sooner or later, there will be retribution."

"If your skills are inferior to others, you should admit defeat."

"Asking me to admit defeat to you is absolutely impossible, impossible in this lifetime. Keep your banquet and eat it yourself; I won't accompany you."

Lord Zuo's foul temper was not hidden at all; he pushed away the subordinates blocking the way, walked alone to the gate of the Heavenly Prison, got into the Zuo family carriage that had been waiting for a long time, and left by carriage.

Everyone:...

Chen Guanlou appeared in time and invited everyone to the office to drink tea.

Afterward, he led Sun Daojing into another office, closed the door, and talked.

"Lord Zuo has been dismissed from office, which means that apart from his fame, he is now a commoner. Why is he still so arrogant, not giving you any face at all? Aren't you afraid that the Ministry of Justice will fabricate charges and not let him leave the capital?"

The implication: Old Sun, you are really cowardly!

Sun Daojing chuckled. "Do you know the family background of the surnamed Zuo? The Zuo family of Jizhou is a great clan of the current era. The Zuo family, as well as their students and former subordinates, are all over the court. This is the confidence that the surnamed Zuo has to be arrogant. I am different; I come from a humble background, and my family foundation is far inferior to the Zuo family. Moreover, my Sun family's children and grandchildren who have achieved success are few and far between. How dare I compete with the powerful Zuo family."

"But you beat him!"

"That's because His Majesty wanted to use me. His Majesty is wary of the power of the great clans, so he appointed me as Minister back then. This is the balance of power, not entirely based on ability."

Speaking of this, Sun Daojing also felt a bit emotional. He didn't expect that coming from a humble background would one day help him win the position of Minister.

"So, you don't intend to pursue it?"

"His Majesty let him leave the capital within a month, so why should I do extra things? I just need to pull out the power of the surnamed Zuo from the Ministry of Justice by the roots, and I will have won. By then, for the logistics of the Heavenly Prison, you can consider changing to one of your own people. There is only one position, so consider the candidate carefully."

"Can't you give two more positions?"

"I can't give them. The oil and water of the Heavenly Prison logistics are huge, as everyone knows. Too many people are watching. Don't say I'm stingy and don't take care of you; I've already spent a lot of effort to fight for one position for you, almost having to exchange benefits with others for this quota. The water here is deep; as the Minister of Justice, I can't decide in one word, so... you understand."

Hearing this, Chen Guanlou immediately got on board. "Old Sun, you are my good brother."

"Insolent! You should perform the etiquette of a disciple."

"But I prefer to be your brother. Don't be so calculating; anyway, if you have errands, just look for me. I will definitely stand on your side, unconditionally. When should the candidate be reported?"

"Wait until the surnamed Zuo leaves the capital, then report it. You know about this matter, don't talk about it outside. Many people are watching the position of Heavenly Prison logistics, including the lackeys of princes and nobles. If the news leaks and the position is snatched by others, don't blame me."

"Old Sun, you must be my brother from another mother."

"Nonsense!" Sun Daojing blew his beard and stared. "Simply ridiculous, is there anyone who talks like you? I told you to read more books, but you just won't listen; you can't even speak properly."

Chen Guanlou laughed happily, not caring at all about the other's reprimand. "You are just too serious, which is why people hate you. Occasionally, put down your official prestige, put down your official baggage."

Sun Daojing kept a straight face, very serious, and could be said to be full of official prestige, patting the table and saying: "Nonsense! I am an official of the imperial court, and I must straighten my position at all times and maintain the face of the imperial court. Behind closed doors, you can joke with me, and I won't care. With the door open, watch your mouth.

Also, give orders to let all prison guards watch their mouths. I don't want rumors to spread in the market about today's events. If there are any, I won't care about the three-seven-twenty-one, I won't care about the culprit, I will just assume it was the Heavenly Prison, assume it was your people who did it."

"Old Sun, can you be reasonable?" Chen Guanlou refused to agree, complaining bitterly. As an official of the Ministry of Justice, not paying attention to evidence and relying entirely on prejudice—that's going too far!

"I won't reason with you. Because you never reason with me. Manage your territory well and don't let people catch your handle. Let me tell you the truth, many people are watching your position. Privately, many people say that a Ninth-Rank warrior shouldn't occupy the position of Prison Warden, shouldn't serve as an official of the imperial court."

"They are just jealous!"

"It's good that you know!" ===== CHAPTER 771 =====