When the sun fell to the horizon, Zhao Lian opened his eyes again. Although his body was very weak, his heart was very happy because he found that he was still alive.
Although his body had no strength, his heart was lingering with hope.
"It's poisonous!"
In Zhao Lian's mind, Zhao Lian was excited because of this matter. He felt that this was an opportunity.
His life had just encountered a huge crisis. This crisis almost made him lose his life, but Zhao Lian felt that this was an opportunity for him to make a meteoric rise.
He didn't know when it started, but Zhao Lian felt that his official career had fallen into a swamp.
Every step forward would take a lot of effort. When he reached the position of assistant minister of Nanjing's Ministry of Works, he completely stopped.
He was full of ambition, but he was depressed. He thought of all kinds of ways, but he still couldn't get promoted.
But this time, this time, Zhao Lian saw an opportunity, an opportunity to rise.
The Fushou ointment was really poisonous, and it was such a powerful poison. Then what Xu De said was true. Someone conspired against the Emperor.
Even if the Emperor didn't pursue it, selling such a poisonous thing to the common people was still a heinous crime.
Tracking down these people naturally became a top priority. This was his opportunity.
Correct confession attitude, actively assist in solving the case, and strive for meritorious service.
Zhao Lian customized a three-step strategy for himself. If the plan was completed smoothly, then not only would he not be punished, but he would also enter the Emperor's eyes.
Even if there were some punishments, he would definitely be put in an important position in the future.
In this plan, he needed someone to vouch for him and put in a good word for him.
The first person that Zhao Lian thought of was Xu De. After thinking about it, he felt that Xu De couldn't do it. He would definitely steal his credit. In addition, eunuchs couldn't be trusted. He couldn't leave an image of flattering eunuchs for promotion.
In addition to Xu De, there was only one suitable person. That was the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue and the Deputy of the Tax Department, Wang Yongji.
Although they were both assistant ministers, he, the assistant minister of Nanjing's Ministry of Works, was far inferior to Wang Yongji, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
There had long been rumors in the court that once the Minister of Revenue, Zhang Xueyan, retired, the person who would take over the position of Minister of Revenue would be Wang Yongji.
After the official and gentry shared the grain, no one had any doubts about this.
Wang Yongji was definitely close to the emperor. If he was willing to speak up for him, then his plan to turn the tables would be half completed.
Zhao Lian had some understanding of Wang Yongji. They were colleagues in Nanjing.
However, at that time, the two of them were not assistant ministers, but doctors. The two of them could be considered to know each other.
Although they were not very close, Zhao Lian felt that this was his chance.
While Zhao Lian was pondering, Wang Yongji walked in from the outside. Behind Wang Yongji was a maid. She was holding a tray with a bowl of porridge and a plate of side dishes.
"Brother Zhao, you are awake!" Wang Yongji looked at Zhao Lian and said with a faint smile.
Zhao Lian nodded and forced himself to sit up, but he was pressed back down by Wang Yongji.
"Don't get up. Your body is very weak. Rest well!"
Wang Yongji said and nodded to the maid. "I asked someone to make porridge. Your body is very weak now. It is better to eat some porridge."
"Thank you, Brother Wang!" Zhao Lian nodded and let Wang Yongji help him up and sit on the bed.
In fact, Zhao Lian didn't want to eat anything, but he knew that he couldn't just lie down. He needed to stand up as soon as possible.
If he didn't eat, his body couldn't stand it. He braced himself and endured the nausea. Zhao Lian began to eat the porridge with the help of the maid.
After finishing a bowl of porridge, the maid left. Wang Yongji and Zhao Lian began to chat.
Wang Yongji wanted to ask a lot of questions, but he didn't know where to start. He was afraid of provoking Zhao Lian.
Zhao Lian smiled bitterly and looked at Wang Yongji. Then he said faintly, "Brother Wang, have you experienced despair?"
Hearing Zhao Lian's words, Wang Yongji was stunned. What did he mean?
Not hearing Wang Yongji's reply, Zhao Lian didn't mind. He smiled and said, "I was able to read a thousand words at the age of five. I memorized Tang poems at the age of eight. I was familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics at the age of thirteen. At the age of sixteen, I became an Elementary Scholar. At the age of twenty-two, I became a High Scholar. At the age of twenty-five, I entered the Imperial Examinations and was ranked ninth."
"I wasn't fated to be a scholar, but I didn't lose heart. I did my best in every position."
"Brother Wang, do you know why?"
Zhao Lian seemed to be asking Wang Yongji, but it also seemed like he was asking himself. Without waiting for Wang Yongji to speak, Zhao Lian continued, "Because of the pride in my chest. Because of my father's hopes and my mother's expectations."
"When I was five, my father taught me how to write my first word. That word was read: Ambition!"
"My father once said that a young man should have great ambitions. Later on, I learned more and more words, and understood more and more things. But this ambition was imprinted in my heart.
I don't like to read, but I especially like to read history books. "
"In the history books, there were many sages with great ambitions, but not one of them didn't make me yearn for them."
"When you're young, you're determined, and you fight for it. This is the true nature of a man. It's so stirring."
"At that time, I was also determined. I would painstakingly study, and one day, I would be able to enter the Imperial Examinations. When that time comes, I would be able to show off my ambitions.
For the Emperor, for the Daming, and for the common people. "
At this point, Zhao Lian's body trembled, and the rims of his eyes reddened.
"But just now, just now, I was lying on the ground. Although my body was in pain, although it was torturous, the most torturous thing wasn't that. It was my heart.
I'm forty-six this year. I learned to read and write at the age of five. Forty-one years, a whole forty-one years. "
"I hoped that one day, I would be able to enter the central government and show off what I've learned. I didn't disappoint myself, and I didn't disappoint the teachings of the sages. But at that time, I was filled with despair. Not only did I disappoint my father, I disappoint the teachings of the sages, and I disappoint the Emperor."
Seeing that Wang Yongji wanted to say something, Zhao Lian waved his hand and said, "Brother, you don't need to comfort me. I only have one thing to ask of you, brother."
Wang Yongji empathized with Zhao Lian's words. Among them, who didn't study hard when they were young? Who didn't want to show off what they had learned? Who didn't want to leave their names in history? How could Wang Yongji not sympathize with Zhao Lian's situation? At the same time, he also deeply hated the person who sold the Longevity Ointment.
"Brother, feel free to speak your mind. I will definitely help if I can." Wang Yongji nodded his head and said.
"I will write a memorial asking for forgiveness and send it to the capital. Brother, please present it to the Emperor. This is related to the poison case, so we can only send a secret memorial to prevent others from seeing it." Zhao Lian took Wang Yongji's hand and said.
Wang Yongji nodded his head and said, "No problem. I will send someone to send it to the capital for you."
"I have wronged the Emperor. I don't have the face to face the Emperor. I know I can't continue to be an official, but I don't want to give up.
This Longevity Ointment not only poisoned me, but it also poisoned many officials and commoners. "
"I want to thoroughly investigate this case. Let's not talk about making up for my mistakes. Even if I die a hundred times, I won't be able to atone for my crimes. Brother, please plead on my behalf to the Emperor. When this case is solved, no matter what punishment I receive, I will have no regrets."
Wang Yongji looked at Zhao Lian and felt the strength in his hand. He nodded his head without hesitation.
"Brother, don't worry. I will definitely submit this memorial. When the time comes, it will be sent to the capital together with your memorial asking for forgiveness."
Wang Yongji reached out and patted Zhao Lian. "The Emperor is wise and mighty. He will definitely give you a chance."
After a few words of comfort, Wang Yongji left, but Zhao Lian restrained his expression.
At this time, Zhao Lian's eyes flashed, and there seemed to be a ball of fire burning in his chest. He couldn't wait to go out and search the He family. He wanted to go out and make the case bigger. This was for revenge and for his own official career.
Zhao Lian didn't believe that the He family didn't know that the Fushou ointment was poisonous. Since they knew it was poisonous, the He family dared to give it to him and Cui Fu. They even instigated Cui Fu to present it to the Emperor. The He family deserved to die!
In the past, Zhao Lian liked the Fushou ointment. Now, Zhao Lian was grateful for it.
Compared with Xu De and Cui Fu, Zhao Lian knew more about the Fushou ointment and was more clear about it.
Although he didn't know the origin of the Fushou ointment, he had heard rumors.
The Fushou ointment was not a product of Daming at all. It came from Southeast Asia.
In the past, Java and other countries had offered it. So, where did the He family get it?
Everyone in the southeast knew that the rich families engaged in sea trade, ignored the sea ban, and even colluded with pirates and Japanese pirates. The origin of these Fushou ointment was self-evident.
If he stirred up this case and chased after the Fushou ointment, it would definitely be a great achievement.
The He family gave the poison to him, which was heartless. If they were heartless, then don't blame him for being unjust.
Using your heads to pave the way for me to become an official, you can be considered to have died a worthy death.
No one knew what Zhao Lian was thinking. Wang Yongji put himself in Zhao Lian's shoes and was very sympathetic to Zhao Lian.
From Wang Yongji's point of view, Zhao Lian's misfortune was undeserved.
He didn't know that the Fushou ointment was poisonous, and he was poisoned himself.
Moreover, Zhao Lian didn't do anything outrageous. If they really wanted to investigate, Zhao Lian was also a victim!
After leaving Zhao Lian's room, Wang Yongji ran back to write the memorial, ready to recommend Zhao Lian.
In a room not far away, Xu De was holding a teacup and listening to the little eunuch's report.
The little eunuch was very detailed. It was the conversation between Wang Yongji and Zhao Lian, as if he was there.
When the little eunuch finished, Xu De was lost in thought. After a long while, he put down the teacup in his hand.
"Let our people keep an eye on them. Don't move for the time being, and don't alert the enemy."
Xu De put down the teacup and said lightly, "All of them go underground. If anyone leaks the news, we won't let them go."
The little eunuch was stunned and said in shock, "Godfather, are we not going to investigate anymore?"
Glancing at the little eunuch, Xu De asked with a faint smile, "Xiao An, how long have you been with me?"
Wang An quickly said, "Godfather, it's been nine years!"