Chapter 979

At the time, Zhang Rang had been thinking that if the sales in Yingchuan could be given to him.

Then in a few years, he would be able to accumulate a fortune once again.

The land of Yingchuan was the center of the world's scholar-gentry.

Scholars were everywhere.

In other places, white paper and snow salt were luxury items.

But in Yingchuan, there were more than enough people who could afford them.

The Red Dragon Stepping on Clouds beast died.

But who would have thought.

Duan Yu was actually dead.

"Your Majesty, rumors say that Duan Yu died in an ambush while suppressing the Liangzhou Huangzhong righteous rebels, Beigong Boyu," Zhang Rang explained the cause of Duan Yu's death.

Liu Hong was stunned for a moment before he finally managed to collect his thoughts.

"Are there any family members of Duan Yu in Liangzhou, or has an official report been sent from his residence?" Liu Hong inquired.

Zhang Rang shook his head: "Not yet, it is just widely rumored within Luoyangcheng."

No official report!

A glimmer of hope erupted in Liu Hong's eyes amidst his despair.

"Go, send someone to Hanyang Commandery immediately. I want to hear it with my own ears!"

"Go and ask Duan Yu's family, or see Duan Yu's corpse."

"Immediately, go immediately."

"Zhang Rang, you personally designate someone to go," Liu Hong said urgently.

Zhang Rang nodded quickly.

Although Zhang Rang did not want to believe that Duan Yu was dead, it had already spread throughout Luoyangcheng.

If Duan Yu were not truly dead, why wouldn't he come out personally to stop such rumors that were unfavorable to him?

Therefore, even though a shred of hope remained in his heart, Zhang Rang still chose to believe the fact that Duan Yu was dead.

From Luoyang to Hanyang Commandery, if one traveled by light cavalry and fast horses, it would take no more than ten days for a round trip.

One only needed to wait quietly for ten days to have the final result.

Just as Zhang Rang was about to walk out of Liu Hong's sleeping quarters in the West Garden.

Another palace attendant came to announce.

"Your Majesty, Minister of Works Zhang Wen, Grand Marshal Yang Ci, Minister of the Masses Cui Lie, and various officials of the Censorate request an audience outside the palace."

Outside the Sima Gate.

Dozens of high-ranking court officials were gathered here at this moment.

Leading them were Minister of Works Zhang Wen, Grand Marshal Yang Ci, and the newly appointed Minister of the Masses Cui Lie.

Cui Lie, of the great Boling Cui clan in Jizhou.

He had previously served as a Palace Attendant Censor in the Censorate.

Some time ago, because Yuan Kui had impeached Duan Yu, he was rebuked by Liu Hong's decree and stripped of his position as Minister of the Masses.

And shortly after that, Cui Lie paid fifty million coins to buy the position of Minister of the Masses from Liu Hong.

At this moment, Cui Lie, dressed in official robes and serving as Minister of the Masses, stood among the crowd, listening to the flattery from left and right, a thick smile on his face.

Coupled with the news he had just learned that Duan Yu had died in Liangzhou, Cui Lie's mood could be described as exceptionally good.

Previously, Cui Lie had gone with Ma Ridi and others to Yang Ci's residence to request a meeting to discuss striking at Duan Yu.

But it had failed later on.

At that time, Cui Lie still needed to request an audience to see Yang Ci.

But now, Cui Lie was of equal rank to Yang Ci.

Although Cui Lie was far inferior to Yang Ci in terms of reputation.

But Cui Lie believed that as long as he could ruin Duan Yu's reputation this time, he would definitely occupy a leading position in the mouths of the world's scholars.

Even if Duan Yu was already dead, just being dead was not enough.

Not far from Cui Lie, Yang Ci had only a few people around him.

He looked very much like an old man in his twilight years about to step behind the scenes.

And Yang Biao, the next-generation head of the Yang clan and Yang Ci's successor, stood behind Yang Ci.

"Father, is that Duan Yu really... really dead?" Yang Biao asked in a low voice.

Yang Ci closed his eyes, as if he were asleep, leaning on his cane.

"True or false, what does it matter?"

"Those who profit are all harmed by profit."

"Those who are uninvolved keep themselves aloof."

"Just wait and see, and you will know."

Yang Ci opened his eyes, which were only slits, and looked at Cui Lie, who was surrounded by the crowd not far away, then slowly shook his head.

The Sima Gate opened, and the loyal officials walked slowly into the palace.

"Minister of the Masses, please go first."

"Minister Cui, please go first."

"Minister Cui, please."

The crowd parted, and Cui Lie, smiling with satisfaction, strode through the Sima Gate. ===== CHAPTER 981 =====