GBP Chapter 1058 The Current Situation of the Cui Family
Chapter 1058 The Current Situation of the Cui Family
Just as Zhang Ping'an was gradually taking over the various affairs of the government office and was extremely busy, news from the capital also came in like snowflakes.
Although he left the capital, he couldn't take all his spies with him. He left some capable ones behind to help him gather information, so his news was often faster than the official gazettes.
He was also surprised when he learned of Consort Qian's death. On the surface, it was said that she died of a sudden illness, but in reality, she hanged herself. It's easy to imagine how deep the water was in there.
When Zhang Ping'an learned that his father-in-law, Grand Tutor Qian, had retired from the capital and returned to Lin'an, he was initially surprised, but then he admired his father-in-law's courage. This move of using retreat as a means of advancement was both ruthless and risky. He wondered if the final result would be as his father-in-law hoped.
The political situation in the court changes rapidly; it's easy to resign, but difficult to return.
However, given his father-in-law's style of doing things, he probably has other plans. But based on the information he has so far, Zhang Ping'an is not sure what his father-in-law is up to.
In addition, regarding the matter mentioned in the letter from the man with the green bean eyes, he also mentioned that he was preparing to be transferred back to the south to serve as an official. After careful consideration, he gave some pertinent advice but did not dissuade him.
Firstly, he knew that Green Bean Eyes was actually a very decisive person, and writing to him was just a reminder, as he had already made a decision.
Secondly, the Ge family's business is large, and they have made a lot of money in recent years thanks to various disasters. Now they are like a big piece of golden meat, and everyone wants to seize the opportunity to take a bite or put it in their pocket. It would be good if Green Bean Eyes was transferred back to Lin'an so that he could take better care of the family!
Thirdly, and most importantly, the situation in the capital is not good, and Green Bean Eyes himself has no intention of advancing further in his career. Staying away from the center of the vortex is actually a good thing.
When gods fight, mortals suffer – that's a perfect description of officials like those with beady eyes.
The last letter was written by his in-law, Li Chong. Although it was not explicitly stated in the letter, Zhang Ping'an could sense from the words that Li Chong was having second thoughts about confronting Cui Ling and wanted to back down.
The Cui family is currently riding high. Even when Cui Ling messed up his job and returned to the capital injured, His Majesty only fined him half a year's salary and scolded him a few times in court. There was no real punishment, and the bias was very obvious.
Furthermore, Cui Rong, the daughter of the Cui family, is now the mother of the nation, and after becoming empress, she vigorously promoted relatives from her own family, even distant relatives who were not close enough to her. Anyone with eyes can see that she is obviously trying to elevate her family and place her own power through nepotism.
However, His Majesty turned a blind eye to this situation, indulging in alchemy all day long and neglecting state affairs.
Over time, Li Chong became disheartened and even disillusioned by this situation. Although he was ambitious and a true politician, he was also a capable and pragmatic person who was diligent in his duties to the court.
Objectively speaking, he can definitely be considered a good official by the people.
I never expected to be in such a dilemma.
The letter was written very frankly and sincerely, without making any demands. On the surface, it was just a letter to maintain a relationship.
But Zhang Ping'an knew things weren't that simple; he could glean some clues from Li Chong sending his niece Zhuzhu and her family to the Northwest.
The Li family must have other plans.
He had his own guesses, but he didn't want to say them out loud.
On the surface, their two families are related by marriage, so he was definitely on the side of the Li family. After reading the letter, Zhang Ping'an immediately wrote back and offered sincere words of comfort.
I can't say much more.
Just as the days were passing by unnoticed, news came from the capital again, this time concerning Cui Ling.
It was thought that Cui Ling would benefit from her daughter's fame and continue her meteoric rise, but unexpectedly, she suddenly died of a serious illness.
According to the coroner and doctor, the cause of death was that the previous injuries had not healed properly, damaging the lungs and internal organs. Coupled with catching a cold, the patient fell seriously ill and died.
He died very suddenly!
Cui Rong was in the inner palace. According to intelligence, she appeared calm on the surface, but Madam Cui was extremely upset and insisted that her husband had been murdered. She even wanted to go to the palace to file a complaint with the emperor, but Cui Rong dissuaded her.
The Cui family was not well-established to begin with, and with Cui Ling dead and his sons not yet accomplished, there was immediately some unrest within the clan.
If it weren't for Cui Rong's position as Empress, it would probably have been divided up by other aristocratic families in the capital long ago.
This is truly a matter of timing and fate!
Zhang Ping'an was stunned for a long time and had some doubts. Several suspects flashed through his mind, including his in-law Li Chong.
But thinking back to the letter from half a month ago, he felt that it shouldn't be done so openly, and the methods shouldn't be so direct. It shouldn't be the Li family.
After much thought, and considering this behavior, he felt that the most likely culprit was the Qian family. However, his father-in-law, Grand Tutor Qian, had already retired and returned to Lin'an. At this point, without any evidence, even His Majesty would probably find it difficult to easily punish the Qian family.
It's even difficult to bring it up.
Otherwise, it would be an open and aboveboard offense against the entire aristocratic family.
The relative importance of each factor must be carefully considered.
Thinking of this, Zhang Ping'an was somewhat glad that he had left the capital in advance. Otherwise, he would not have been able to clear himself of these issues. He didn't get to eat the mutton but instead got himself into trouble. This is exactly the situation.
Before the matter had reached a conclusion, that evening, Xiaoyuer suddenly brought a man back from outside. The man claimed to be his fellow townsman and fellow graduate, surnamed Jiang, named Yaozu.
Zhang Ping'an thought for a long time before he could recall this person.
"It is you!"