Zhang Yong never thought that he would be missed by Zhu Houzhao.

Since he led the West Factory, he felt the strong pressure from Liu Jin. In order not to be targeted by Liu Jin, his old enemy, he simply said he couldn't get out of illness and claimed to be at home to recuperate.

Zhang Yong is not an honest official. He has also embezzled and accepted bribes and is worth a lot of money, but he dared not spend money in the capital. He always needs to avoid it under the feet of the emperor.

In an ordinary courtyard in the west of the city, Zhang Yong saw a little knive as an emperor envoy.

Xiao Guozi didn't know what Zhang Yong intended, so he didn't dare to tell the matter against Liu Jin, but just told him that the emperor had something to tell him.

Zhang Yong asked tentatively: "My father-in-law, Your Majesty...what is it called?"

In order not to offend Liu Jin, Zhang Yong was very worried that the emperor would arrange some positions against Liu Jin by the emperor. In his opinion, no matter what trouble Zhu Houzhao had, he would arrange for Liu Jin to solve it on his behalf, and it would be impossible to find him. There is only one explanation. The emperor said that he would arrange his new official position when he met.

It is very likely that this official flaw was designed by Liu Jin, and Zhu Houzhao was just giving the final order.

Xiao Guozi whispered softly: "Your Majesty has an important matter for Eunuch Zhang to handle, but... there are too many people and are afraid that the matter will be leaked."

"ah!?"

Zhang Yong is a smart person. Since he was a kid, he felt that there was something wrong with Twist's reaction. He immediately asked tentatively: "Is it related to Eunuch Liu?" Then he carefully observed Twist's reaction.

Xiao Guozi was a little surprised and looked at Zhang Yong.

The two of them looked at each other in the air and both subconsciously turned their heads.

"Eunuch Zhang, I dare not talk about some things casually. When I see Your Majesty, I will know... If Your Majesty knows that I will reveal the news in advance, I will definitely blame you!"

Xiao Twist Zi whispered.

Zhang Yong laughed: "My father-in-law is really out of sight. Even if we know anything, how dare we talk nonsense? In front of the saint, Mr. Wang gave me some advice so that our family can be mentally prepared in advance so that we will not be at a loss when we see Your Majesty.

"That's how..."

Xiao Twist was a little hesitant.

How could Zhang Yong not see that Xiao Tuozi is full of doubts? He knew that Xiao Tuozi is now favored and is even closer to Zhu Houzhao than Liu Jin. It is more important to maintain a good relationship with Xiao Tuozi than anything else. Even if Liu Jin falls in the future, he has a way to quickly get close to the core of power.

Zhang Yong walked to the antique stand, took out something from a wooden box displayed on it, but it was a jade pendant. Then he walked to the small twister, handed over the thing, and said, "A small object, please take it to play with my father-in-law."

"If you don't receive any reward without merit, how dare we..." Xiao Guozi was about to refuse, but then he saw the look of expectation on Zhang Yong's face and quickly savored it.

There are two reasons why Zhang Yong gave things. One is to show kindness. If he did not accept it, it would mean rejecting Zhang Yong's olive branch, and it would be difficult to distinguish enemies and friends in the future. The other is to exchange, asking him to explain the purpose of Zhu Houzhao's summoning so that he can prepare.

In view of this, Xiao Tiaozi simply put the thing in his arms. Then he whispered: "Your Majesty summoned Eunuch Zhang to entrust important tasks, which is related to whether Eunuch Liu deceived the Holy Listening..."

Zhang Yong pricked up his ears and listened to what Xiao Twist said, a hint of joy arose in his heart.

This is a clear signal, which means that Liu Jin is gradually losing Zhu Houzhao's trust, which is like a sound of nature for him who is looking for opportunities to get to power.

...

...

Zhang Yong never felt that he should join Liu Jin.

He knew that even if he took the initiative to sell himself, Liu Jin would be disdainful. It would be better to avoid his edge from the beginning and be an idle crane as much as possible.

Even if you, Liu Jin, have any objections to me, and I have no direct conflict of interest with you, why do you want to attack an elderly man in the palace like me?

But after discovering that there was a chance to deal with Liu Jin, Zhang Yong's heart was in full swing.

Liu Jin's existence seriously infringed on the interests of the twenty-four prisons in the palace. In the past, the various yamen in the palace could have equal benefits and not interfere with each other. Now Liu Jin attributes all the benefits to himself, but does not share the benefits for everyone. In fact, he has been isolated by the eunuchs. In order to pull Liu Jin off the horse, many eunuchs can do whatever they want.

Zhang Yong followed Xiao Taozi to the Leopard Room and thought to himself: "Don't say that you, Liu Jin, deceived Your Majesty, have a lot of money. Even if you didn't do this, I can make up evidence to confirm your crime!"

Xiao Guozi did not take Zhang Yong to the front entrance of the leopard room, and even did not leave the back door or side door.

Others were confused about the structure of the staff in the Leopard Room, but Xiao Guozi was a member of the house. Liu Jin put a lot of eyeliner in the Leopard Room, but he could not escape anything, which made Xiao Guozi take precautions early.

Xiao Tiaozi is very smart. In addition to being smart, he also knows how to use the relationships inside and outside the palace to secretly weave a network of relationships. Even if he is negligent about some things, someone will remind him to pay attention.

This is an extraordinary chess piece that looks less eye-catching, but it plays an important role in overthrowing Liu Jin.

Zhang Yong was walking all the way and was very surprised. Why did Xiao Tiaozi take him into the house next to the Leopard House and pass through some inconspicuous portals. There were people who answered him from time to time on the way. After a tunnel emerged and the surrounding rockery, the two finally entered an open-air garden in the backyard of the Leopard House. After a long time, they arrived at Zhu Houzhao's usual living place.

When Zhang Yong arrived, Zhu Houzhao was sitting upright behind the desk, reading the book with relish. Zhang Yong couldn't imagine the picture and said to himself: "Your Majesty is in the leopard room, and he actually read so carefully?"

"Your Majesty! Eunuch Zhang is here!" Xiao Zhuozi saluted.

"I'll see Your Majesty." Zhang Yong kowtowed respectfully.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houzhao put down the illustrated version of "Jin Ping Mei" that she had just recovered. She looked very dignified and nodded slightly: "Get up and talk."

"Yes, your Majesty."

Zhang Yong stood up, but he was hunched over and seemed very humble.

Zhu Houzhao asked, "Do you know the purpose of me asking you for?"

Zhang Yong replied respectfully: "I don't know."

Zhu Houzhao nodded slightly: "I asked you to come here to investigate something. I heard that someone secretly transported a batch of silver that originally belonged to me and used it for him. I want to know where the silver has been transported... I will leave this matter to you!"

"Your Majesty, I don't know where these silver comes from?" Zhang Yong asked with concern.

Zhu Houzhao said hesitantly: "I don't want to talk too much about the specific matters. You don't have to care about the origin and use of this money. I just want to know if someone secretly steals it and fills his personal pockets... After you investigate the matter clearly, you will report to me, and I will deal with the rest."

Zhang Yong thought to himself after hearing this: "Fortunately, I asked Xiao Tiaozi clearly in advance. If I didn't know that Liu Jin was involved, what's the point of me going to investigate? Now Your Majesty doesn't know that I have learned the inside story. It's a good thing. I can secretly 'help' Liu Jin!"

Thinking of this, Zhang Yong felt a little hatred in his heart. Thinking of Liu Jin's previous suppression of him, he felt so angry.

"Even if I die, I will help His Majesty find out the matter!"

...

...

With Zhu Houzhao's support, Zhang Yong drew his confidant from the West Factory to conduct a secret investigation.

Soon, he found out the evidence that Liu Jin was "corrupt and abused the law" and proved to Zhu Houzhao that after Liu Jin confiscated the wealthy businessmen in the capital and the gentry who respected the king, he moved them all back home, and even blackmailed the wealthy businessmen and gentry, completely ignoring these people's "loyalty to the emperor and serve the country".

Zhu Houzhao was furious when she saw the investigation results.

"...Bastard, Liu Jin was actually greedy for me and went to call the old eunuch dog. I want to question him in person!" Zhu Houzhao shouted sternly.

When Zhang Yong heard this, he couldn't help but look at Xiao Tiaozi, and he had already communicated with Xiao Tiaozi in secret.

"Your Majesty still has to rely on Liu Jin to help make money, and there is no way to beat him to death with one stick... But the evidence is conclusive, and Liu Jin will probably lose his Majesty's trust if he doesn't die!"

Thinking of this, Zhang Yong said: "Your Majesty, Eunuch Liu has not sorted out the detailed numbers and submitted them. Maybe Eunuch Liu brought the money home and just kept it for custody. Will you send it to Your Majesty in a few days?"

"Can he do?"

Zhu Houzhao was very angry, but he happened to have such expectations. He immediately looked at Xiao Tiaozi and waved his hand, "Then you two will retreat first. When Liu Jin comes, I will ask him personally if he is so loyal to you!"

Immediately, Zhu Houzhao arranged for someone to send someone a message to Liu Jin for an interview.

Liu Jin was not sure about it, because counting the money and taking it back to the mansion were his trusted subordinates, so he was not afraid of the matter being leaked.

At this time, Liu Jin was completely arrogant. After Shen Xi left Beijing, he no longer took the major forces in the court seriously. It was this arrogance that made him make countless enemies inside and outside the palace.

When facing the saint, with Liu Jin's keen observation, he found that Emperor Zhengde in front of him seemed to be full of anger but tried his best to suppress him, so he was careful.

Liu Jin bowed and greeted her, and then asked for instructions: "I wonder what happened to Your Majesty summoning the old slave?"

"What did you say?"

Zhu Houzhao couldn't hide her anger and stared at her eyes and said, "I asked you to send all the silver tributes from the people to me, why haven't you heard any movement these days?"

Liu Jin replied: "Your Majesty, the old slave has been counting these days. After sorting out the specific number, we will send it to Your Majesty."

Zhu Houzhao's face looked a little better, and she had a vague expectation in her heart that Liu Jin moved the money home because she wanted to keep it properly instead of greed for it.

Zhu Houzhao asked, "Then have you sorted it out?"

“It’s all sorted out.”

Although Liu Jin was alert, he could not have thought that Zhu Houzhao would investigate him secretly, and even more so that when he was in power, someone would have secretly plotted against him. He immediately said in a tone of seeking credit, "Your Majesty, I have counted the silver, and it is a total of..."

His mind turned a little, saying that it was not appropriate to say that it was less, but Zhu Houzhao had a hard demand here, and he felt distressed if he said too much.

After all, Zhu Houzhao was a temporary summoning, and he had not calculated in detail, so he decided to say a compromise number, as much as possible, as it could be more convincing.

Thinking of this, Liu Jin said, "There are 53,625 taels in total, one tael is not more than one tael, and then I will send it to Your Majesty!"

After saying this, he was very proud and thought to himself: "The official in the Inner Transportation Deposit said that there were 50,000 taels of silver. If I added more than 3,000 taels of silver, your Majesty will be happy. This time, 50,000 taels of silver have been prepared, and if you go back, you will have someone to add 3,625 taels. This matter will be over."

"Bang!"

Zhu Houzhao was furious and slapped the table hard.

The loud noise scared Liu Jin. Although he was arrogant and arrogant, he also knew that his status was given by Zhu Houzhao. He cared very much about Zhu Houzhao's joys, anger, sorrows, and happiness.

"Your Majesty, you..."

Liu Jin became nervous and vaguely felt that Zhu Houzhao's attitude was a bit abnormal.

Although Zhu Houzhao was extremely angry, he could roughly maintain restraint. He wanted to show off with Liu Jin directly, ask for money, and question him about transferring money, but then he thought: "Now he still has to rely on this dog slave to help me do things. If he is punished for this crime, who is willing to come out to do things for me?"

Zhu Houzhao calmed down his anger a little and said, "I hate the people in the inner transportation warehouse. They dare to openly deceive the emperor. It is obviously more than 50,000 taels of silver, but they actually said that it is only 50,000 taels, which is more than 3,000 taels... Fortunately, Eunuch Liu helped me manage the accounts, and then the silver was clearly counted."

Hearing this, Liu Jin breathed a sigh of relief and a smile appeared on his face.

Zhu Houzhao said: "Since the silver has been counted, I will send it to me. I need to use silver recently."
To be continued...