The Tang Dynasty: Wu Zetian made me her imperial tutor

Chapter 76 Those who block my way shall die!

The sunlight was blazing, but it couldn't match Zhou Xing's sharp insight.

As a leader of cruel officials who rose to the position of Vice Minister of Justice through informing on others, he immediately exposed Lu Jun's motives.

But he had no evidence, and Lu Jun naturally wouldn't admit it. A smirk played on his lips as he retorted, hands behind his back, "What makes you say that? Why would I go after Minister Zhou?"

Zhou Xing said calmly, "Then why search Yongzhou? Luozhou is much closer, and there are just as many escaped households there."

Lu Jun shook his head: "This concerns border affairs. I cannot tell you without authorization from Vice Minister Zhou."

Zhou Xingdao: "The Empress Dowager has already publicly recommended those who were exiled to the army or transferred to the Hexi Corridor for household registration; it's not exactly a secret, is it?"

Lu Jun countered, "Then the Vice Minister should be able to calculate that Yongzhou is closer to the Hexi Corridor and Longxi region, making it more suitable for migration, right?"

He had already prepared this reason.

Tsk tsk—

Zhou Xing's face showed approval: "Lu Lang's intelligence and resourcefulness are truly enviable."

His eyes flashed with a cold light, and his voice lowered: "Since you're so clever, you wouldn't want the Empress Dowager to know about your relationship with Chancellor Wei, would you?"

Di Renjie was right; he was indeed plotting against him and had already uncovered this connection.

However, from Lu Jun's original perspective, she did not recognize Wei Yin at the time, nor did she know that Wei Xuan had done her a favor.

"Prime Minister Wei? Which Prime Minister Wei?" Lu Jun asked.

Zhou Xing said expressionlessly, "Besides Wei Xuantong, which other Prime Minister Wei is there? Why is the Censor playing dumb?"

Lu Jun smiled and said, "I have always admired the style of the Zhenguan era, and I thought you were referring to Wei Zheng, the Duke of Wei."

Zhou Xing said calmly, "It doesn't matter if you don't admit it. I have evidence that Wei Xuan recommended you to the Imperial Academy."

"Imperial Censor Lu petitioned for exiles from Lingnan to be conscripted into the army, indirectly helping the Wei family. Is it really such a coincidence?"

"Pretending not to admit it, isn't it because you're guilty?"

Just like when he was in prison, this cruel official was extremely perceptive and adept at finding loopholes in people's words and expressions.

Lu Jun had prepared his explanation: "Does Vice Minister Zhou mean that I shouldn't have brought this matter up, and should I have just stood by and watched the court lack soldiers?"

Zhou Xing countered, "Imperial Censor Lu is exceptionally intelligent; shouldn't he take this opportunity to repay Wei Xuantong's kindness?"

Lu Jun chuckled: "Minister Zhou has quite the imagination; it's a shame he doesn't write web novels."

"What is online literature?" Zhou Xing was taken aback.

Lu Jun said: "It's a kind of reading material for readers who are super handsome, generous, insightful, and tasteful."

Zhou Xing knew he was learned and knowledgeable, but he himself was not known for his writing, so he didn't delve into the matter further and returned to the main topic:

"Zhou is no longer beating around the bush. He wants to have a private talk with the censor in order to turn hostility into friendship and end the conflict."

"What I said just now was to let the censor know that I, Zhou, possess evidence that is enough to make the Empress Dowager suspect you."

"Zhou admired the censor's exceptional talent and unwavering loyalty to the Empress Dowager, but he never expected the conflict to end in mutual destruction."

It turns out, it was a demand for a sum.

Lu Jun laughed and said, "Minister Zhou, didn't we already make peace? Why are you bringing it up again? Have you been secretly doing something lately?"

"That's right, after I learned about your relationship with Wei Xuantong, I did do some things," Zhou Xing readily admitted.

Lu Jun said coldly, "Tell me more. I'd also like to hear about Minister Zhou's methods."

Jie Jie Jie...

Zhou Xing let out a dry laugh from his slender neck, and his face with high cheekbones suddenly became serious.

"Imperial Censor Lu, although your family has declined, you are still a descendant of a gentry family, and your mother is from the prestigious Pei family of Hedong."

"You don't understand the plight of someone like Zhou, who comes from a truly poor family, and you wouldn't bother listening to his methods."

"Zhou learned law in his youth and entered officialdom as a minor official, serving as a clerk in the Ministry of Personnel. He later rose through the ranks to become the chief secretary of the Ministry of Personnel."

"A seventh-rank official is already quite remarkable in the eyes of ordinary people, and I, Zhou, am deeply grateful..."

"But you all call him a corrupt official!"

As he spoke, the solemnity on his face turned cold, and his voice became low and deep, filled with grief and indignation.

"Zhou worked diligently and finally got promoted to magistrate of Heyang County. He thought to himself, 'This is a county magistrate in the capital region, a sixth-rank official, isn't that the kind of prestigious official position you all talk about?'"

"I have grazed the livestock for hundreds of miles, and I have also provided rest and protection for the people, and encouraged agriculture and sericulture. There have never been any long-standing unresolved lawsuits in the county."

"The late emperor appreciated my talent and summoned me to Chang'an, intending to promote me to the position of Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review!"

"I was only thirty-eight years old at the time, and I was about to become a high-ranking official of the fourth rank, in charge of the Tang Dynasty's judicial system. I guess that's quite an achievement!"

"Every day at dawn I would arrive outside the Daming Palace, waiting and waiting, my eyes brimming with anticipation, for that imperial decree to arrive..."

But in the end, we didn't get to see it!

"The prime minister said I was unworthy of the position of Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review because I came from a corrupt background, was not from an upright family, and had no family connections!"

As he said this, his eyes, like sharp hooks, fixed firmly on Lu Jun's face, and his fists clenched quietly.

The voice grew increasingly shrill, as if it were trying to unleash all the resentment accumulated over the years.

"Imperial Censor Lu, do you know who refused me and drove me out of the Daming Palace that day?"

"It is none other than your benefactor, Wei Xuantong!"

"He told me to stop daydreaming!"

"You all say I framed him to death, but does anyone know that he also killed me that day!"

"He's on good terms with Pei Yan, who's a traitor colluding with Xu Jingye. The Empress Dowager will have him killed sooner or later!"

"And me? I am utterly loyal to the Tang Dynasty and conscientious in upholding the law. Just because I am not from a prestigious family and am not the upright official you all admire, you want to ruin my career!"

"Zhou refuses to accept his fate!"

"So what if they're royalty? So what if they're high-ranking officials and famous generals? So what if they're powerful families? I, Zhou, can trample them all under my feet!"

"Zhou admires Imperial Censor Lu's talent and indomitable courage, not solely because of the Empress Dowager's favor."

"You won't believe it, but Zhou saw his younger self in him, and that indomitable spirit."

"Don't underestimate me, Censor. What I've found is far more than you think!"

"I've come to make peace with you today not to beg you, but to negotiate between two intelligent people!"

He spoke faster and faster, without any pauses, his momentum overwhelming, leaving Lu Jun no room to refuse.

Dengdengdeng-

Just then, footsteps came from the east side; it was Du Shenyan leading Xue Ne, Xue Yao, and other Imperial Guards.

Seeing Zhou Xing clench his fist, Zhang Shuo assumed he was about to attack and became wary, quickly walking towards the two of them.

Zhou Xing coldly said, "I have said all I need to say. Imperial Censor Lu, remember this: I will prove to the world that someone like me can become prime minister. Those who stand in my way will die!"

"If Imperial Censor Lu insists on being Zhou's enemy, Zhou will not let you off easily!"

With a flick of his official robes, he strode towards the south-facing judicial office, leaving only his slender back in an instant.

Zhang Shuo rushed over and asked Lu Jun, "Chu Yu, did he threaten you? Should we report this to the Empress Dowager?"

Lu Jun shook her head: "He won't admit it. Besides, the Empress Dowager relies on him, so reporting it won't do any good. We'll see."

He briefly explained the situation to Xue Ne, Xue Yao, Du Shenyan, and Cui Shi, and then sent them home to pack their belongings.

What exactly did Zhou Xing find out...?

Lu Jun appeared calm, but she was secretly worried. However, she couldn't figure it out, so she decided not to think about it for the time being.

It was early May, and the weather was hot. They wore very thin clothes, so Yan Niang and Ying Niang quickly prepared everything, including their travel expenses, and they only had one bundle.

The two little girls dawdled, and it took them a long time before they handed it to Lu Jun, whispering with their heads down:

"Is my lord only taking Ade with him?"

Who takes care of my daily life?

Who will wash the clothes?

"Does my lord want to order and brew his own tea?"

Who's responsible for grinding and moistening the brush?

"What should I do if I'm bored and want to listen to music?"

"..."

They either don't speak at all, or when they do, they talk non-stop, their words laced with sarcasm.

Ade was responsible for leading and feeding the horses. He accompanied Lu Jun to court every day and was also taken to Chang'an. The two women were very envious.

Lu Jun looked up at Yan Niang and asked, "Are you just craving the food in Chang'an? Isn't there enough to eat in the capital?"

Yan Niang's big eyes immediately lit up: "I've heard that the spring platters, flatbreads, and crab roe pastries in Chang'an taste different from those in the capital, and I've long wanted to try them..."

Suddenly realizing what was happening, she covered her mouth with her hand.

Lu Jun then asked Yingniang, "Doesn't Shendu also have taverns frequented by Hu women? Wouldn't that be enough for you to hear about?"

Yingniang said with a grin, "I heard in the Yeting Palace that the Hu women are best in Chang'an; their waists are so enviable!"

Not a single one of them truly cares for me.

Cough!

Lu Jun put on a stern face: "You've only been here for two months, where would you get the money to buy snacks and listen to music?"

Yan Niang blurted out, "Borrow it from Ade and Jiu Niang! They need to save money for their future weddings and buying land..."

Realizing he had said too much again, he immediately pursed his lips tightly, his eyes darting around, and looked down at people.

Lu Jun smiled brightly, opened the package, and saw two heavy strings of cash, which were the money saved from selling rice.

He tore open one of the strings of cash, grabbed a handful from each, and handed it to Yan Niang and Ying Niang: "This is pocket money for your trip to Chang'an. Don't tell anyone!"

"My husband is the best in the world!"

"My lord is handsome, refined, and kind!"

"My lord will one day have a house full of wives and concubines!"

"Your husband holds a high-ranking official position and has many descendants!"

They chuckled and jumped away, secretly enjoying themselves.

Lu Jun wrapped up the remaining handful, walked to the front yard, and quietly slipped it to Ade, who was feeding the horses: "The journey to Yongzhou is long, thank you for your hard work, this is for your travel expenses."

"My lord, you mustn't! I already have my monthly allowance..." Ade hesitated for a moment, then tried to return the money.

"Keep them safe," Lu Jun said, pushing them back.