After taking a sip of tea, Han Kuang said leisurely:
“This matter originally had nothing to do with me, but Chen Baihu actually counted me as part of the credit. Aren’t you afraid that Zhao Gonggong will be angry because of this?”
Chen Ran replied calmly and confidently:
“Zhao Gonggong was Wei’s adopted son! Therefore, I don’t care if he’s happy or not. I am only loyal to the Ming Dynasty!”
Chen Ran’s words were clear and straightforward.
Zhao Jingzhong was also a eunuch who was favored, but only because he changed sides quickly, he did not fall from grace with Wei Zhongxian.
Chen Ran simply disdained to be in the same league as Zhao Jingzhong, but was wholeheartedly loyal to the Ming Dynasty!
Therefore, he would give up Zhao Jingzhong and give Han Kuang the credit!
In other words, this was Chen Ran’s way of showing Han Kuang his allegiance, refusing to be part of Zhao Jingzhong’s faction of eunuchs.
A smile appeared on Han Kuang’s face, and he nodded:
“I understand your intention. I will report it to the Emperor, and your credit will not be lost!”
“Thank you, Han Da Ren!”
However, Chen Ran did not immediately leave, but said:
“To be honest with Da Ren, it seems that Zhao Gonggong, besides being Wei’s adopted son, has other matters…”
Han Kuang had already prepared to serve tea and send Chen Ran off, but he quickly asked when he heard this:
“What matter?”
Chen Ran smiled faintly:
“Right now, I only have a few clues, and I haven’t fully investigated. However, as far as I know, Zhao Gonggong seems to have some connection with the areas beyond the Pass!”
Han Kuang’s face immediately tightened.
At this time, only a few years had passed since the Battle of Hun River. The Jin had already established themselves beyond the Pass and had allied with and conquered some Mongol tribes. They were eyeing the Ming Dynasty from beyond the Pass!
If Zhao Jingzhong truly had connections with the Jin beyond the Pass, then he was a traitor!
This was a crime punishable by extermination of the entire family!
And if Han Kuang could truly crack this major case, then it would be another great merit for him!
Thinking of this, Han Kuang’s expression immediately became extremely serious:
“Do you have any concrete evidence?”
Chen Ran calmly said:
“I am quietly investigating. I believe the truth will soon come to light!”
Han Kuang pondered for a moment and said:
“You can investigate at your leisure. If there’s anything from Zhao Gonggong’s side, come to me!”
This was exactly what Chen Ran wanted!
It wasn’t enough to simply befriend the Chief Minister.
He also needed Han Kuang’s full support!
As for the evidence of Zhao Jingzhong’s treason, Chen Ran certainly didn’t have it yet.
But Chen Ran believed that Zhao Jingzhong would soon show his true colors!
Then, Chen Ran would use Zhao Jingzhong’s head to get himself a new position!
With this position, he could carry out his plan!
“This time, you have made great contributions by killing Wei Zhongxian. I will ask the Emperor to reward you for your merits!”
The look in Han Kuang’s eyes towards Chen Ran was now filled with admiration.
After all, such a capable subordinate who could present him with such a great merit, and who was about to get another great merit for him, was truly rare.
Moreover, he had just become the Chief Minister, and he desperately needed his own power within the Jinyiwei.
“You are young, and you have just been appointed as a Jinyiwei Baihu, but your ambition does not lie in your age. The position of the Bei Zhenfu Si Qianhu, I think you have a good chance!”
This was exactly what Chen Ran wanted!
Once he became the Bei Zhenfu Si Qianhu, he would no longer be completely under the control of others!
Moreover, he could appoint and promote Shen Lian and the other three, cultivating his own loyal followers in the Bei Zhenfu Si first.
Then, after he got the big credit for Zhao Jingzhong’s treason, he could use this merit to leave the Bei Zhenfu Si and ask Han Kuang for the position of a provincial commander-in-chief!
He was only twenty years old. It was easy to go from a small flag bearer to a Baihu, but to go from a Baihu to a provincial commander-in-chief was very difficult.
After all, there were several levels between a Baihu and a commander-in-chief!
But if he became the Bei Zhenfu Si Qianhu, and then went to become a commander-in-chief in a province, it would be very simple!
Thinking of this, a radiant smile appeared on Chen Ran’s face:
“Thank you, Han Da Ren. I will definitely find the evidence of Zhao Jingzhong’s crimes as soon as possible, and relieve the Emperor and Da Ren of your worries!”
…
After leaving Han Kuang’s mansion, Chen Ran returned to the Bei Zhenfu Si.
After killing Wei Zhongxian, Han Kuang would definitely hand over the memorial to Chongzhen, but it would take time to reward him for his merits.
And Zhao Jingzhong would soon know that Chen Ran had befriended the Chief Minister. Chen Ran was unsure what Zhao Jingzhong would do next.
Perhaps, while he wouldn’t openly criticize Chen Ran, he could still send people to assassinate him like in the original plot.
Therefore, Chen Ran asked Shen Lian, Lu Jianxing, and Jin Yichuan to all move into his house.
As for Tianjiazhuang outside the city, he had never been there.
Chen Ran knew that Zhao Jingzhong would definitely be watching him now, and he couldn’t go searching for Wei Zhongxian’s hidden treasure yet. He could only let Ding Xiu investigate secretly.
And Zhou Miaotong was already pregnant, and he couldn’t let Zhao Jingzhong discover their existence.
The next morning, Zhao Jingzhong actually came to the Bei Zhenfu Si again.
This time, he took Chen Ran alone into a room, where it was only the two of them.
Zhao Jingzhong sat there, his expression cold as he looked at Chen Ran, and suddenly said coldly:
“Chen Baihu, you are so smart. You could even think of giving Han Da Ren credit in this matter of killing Wei Zhongxian. You’ve really embraced this big tree!”
Chen Ran said calmly:
“I have no foundation in the Bei Zhenfu Si, but I also know that it’s good to be under a big tree. There’s nothing I can do about it!”
He knew that Zhao Jingzhong wouldn’t dare to do anything to him openly now, so his attitude was naturally calm and confident.
Zhao Jingzhong’s expression was cold as he said:
“Han Da Ren has already submitted the memorial to ask for your promotion. I believe Chen Baihu, you will soon be promoted again!”
Chen Ran smiled faintly:
“This is all thanks to Zhao Gonggong and Han Da Ren’s support!”
Zhao Jingzhong sneered coldly:
“But you are still too young. The Emperor may still be hesitant about promoting you too quickly!”
As he spoke, he took out a scroll from his body and threw it on the table:
“After you finish this, do another favor for the Emperor, and perhaps the Emperor will truly promote you to Qianhu!”
Chen Ran opened the scroll and took a look. His heart skipped a beat.
It was an ink painting, and the craftsmanship was undoubtedly exquisite. But what surprised Chen Ran was the inscription at the bottom of the painting. There was clearly a mysterious seal!
“This person named Miao Xuan is a wanted criminal by the court, Beizhai Xian. She had disappeared for a while, and everyone thought she was dead. But her paintings have reappeared recently. Obviously, this person is still alive!”
Zhao Jingzhong looked at Chen Ran coldly and said:
“Find this person secretly, kill her for the Emperor, and then bring her head to me!”
After saying this, Zhao Jingzhong left the room.
But Chen Ran was thinking in disbelief.
Beizhai, Miao Xuan!
Didn’t she escape before?
Why has she suddenly reappeared!