Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 679 - 621

Chapter 679: 621

Throughout the journey, Zhang San inquired about what had happened to Shen Zhongdian, but Shen Zhongdian replied that it was not convenient to discuss in public due to the crowded and noisy environment.

Zhang San then realized that the matter might be more serious than how Shen Zhongdian was presenting it at the moment.

Soon, Zhang San followed Shen Zhongdian to the Shen Family’s residence.

Only when they reached Shen Wei’s study did Zhang San notice that Shen Wei looked many times more aged than he had appeared in the imperial court before.

"Minister Shen, is this... are you about to pass away? Should I help you manage your inheritance while you’re still here?"

Shen Wei grimaced.

With a pained expression, he said, "Zhang San! I’m already like this, stop joking."

Zhang San laughed and said, "Every time I step out, I hear people curse me for betraying the country! I can still maintain such a mindset; you too should relax. What could possibly happen to you, a grand Minister of Punishment? Emperor Kaihuang hasn’t said he’ll take your head!"

"He might as well."

Upon hearing this, Zhang San realized that the situation was indeed not good.

"What exactly happened?"

Shen Wei took out a box and handed it to Zhang San.

Zhang San opened it and saw that it was full of gift lists.

And the items listed were extravagant.

Any one of them could be the motivation for a writer to sit in front of a computer without eating or drinking for twenty-four hours!

"Shen Wei, did you rob the treasury?"

"It was Emperor Kaihuang who appointed me as the chief proctor for this examination."

"I see."

Previously, Zhang San had never thought that anyone would send gifts to Shen Wei.

After all, who would dare to give a gift to the powerful Minister of Punishment?

But if this Minister of Punishment was also the chief proctor of the examination, then it made sense for everyone to give gifts.

"With so many gifts, you didn’t accept them all, did you?"

Zhang San asked curiously.

Shen Wei sighed deeply and said in a low voice, "Originally, I didn’t accept any. However, later, the status, power, and backgrounds of those sending gifts were such that I couldn’t afford to offend any of them!"

"Not to mention Imperial Relatives, even those martial families and political clans in the Capital, whose single slap could crush my Shen Family; whom can I dare to offend?"

Zhang San asked, "So, you called me here to help you clear the accounts, or to help you solve the problem?"

When Shen Wei heard Zhang San’s words, he almost cried.

I’m scared to death; I’ve studied Legalism my whole life, and now the gift givers have filled two warehouses; and you’re still making light of it?

This is only because you’re Pharaoh’s closest disciple; had it been someone else, Shen Wei would have taken action.

"I’m asking you to save my life! With the four schools of Legalism, it can’t be that after a single civil examination, we will be reduced to three, right?"

Zhang San smiled and patted Shen Wei on the shoulder, as if they were old friends for many years.

"Rest assured, rest assured. How big of a deal is it!"

"This examination was originally Emperor Kaihuang’s first step to elevate those from humble backgrounds. Yet, these noble clans and political elites think about taking advantage in the opportunity to grab more benefits. Under these circumstances, solving this issue is simple! Too simple!"

Shen Wei and Shen Zhongdian next to him both looked at Zhang San curiously, waiting for his solution.

However, Zhang San likewise gazed at both men but kept silent all along.

"Brother San, just speak!"

Shen Zhongdian, who had remained silent, couldn’t help but say.

After all, this matter concerned the lives of over a hundred members of the entire Shen Family!

Zhang San didn’t immediately answer, but instead asked, "If... I mean, if I wanted to replace the current Crown Prince, Minister Shen, would you help me?"

Shen Wei was stunned.

Although he knew that Zhang San and the Crown Prince did not get along well—very poorly, in fact.

Even the initial confrontations between the two had involved the Ministry of Punishment.

In Shen Wei’s view, the Crown Prince was only the future Emperor, not the actual Emperor yet, which was why Zhang San would contend with him.

And once Emperor Kaihuang passed away in the future and the Crown Prince ascended the throne, Zhang San would inevitably have to submit.

Or perhaps by then, as the Emperor of Great Sui, the Red Dust Immortal of the Imperial Path, he wouldn’t hold a grudge over past issues.

After all, how could someone with great achievements lack the magnanimity to forgive others?

But listening to Zhang San now, it seemed he wasn’t planning on giving the Crown Prince the chance to show any magnanimity!

"What do you mean by ’replace’?"

"Replace! It means this one doesn’t work, put someone else in the position."

"And the original one?"

"Depends on the situation! Personally, I would really like to chop off his head and kick it around like a ball, but considering the stance of Legalism and the Town Martial Office, sparing his life isn’t out of the question."

Shen Wei never imagined that, as the Minister of Punishment, he would one day discuss deposing the Crown Prince with the future leader of Legalism in his own home.

This, what’s the difference between this and rebellion?

Forget it, after all, having accepted so many costly gifts from the political clans and social elites among the imperial relatives, he was already guilty of a capital crime punishable by the execution of his entire family. It’s not like he planned to change the Crown Prince right now anyway.

Moreover, given Zhang San’s status, he really could heavily influence the matter concerning the Crown Prince.

Why not just...

"Fine! The Shen Family agrees!"

Suddenly, Shen Zhongdian, standing aside, spoke up firmly.

Hearing this, Shen Wei was momentarily stunned, staring wide-eyed at his son.

But Shen Zhongdian didn’t even glance at his grandfather, instead addressing Zhang San, "Emperor Kaihuang wants to reform the government. My grandfather is the Minister of Punishment, but who the next Minister will be is uncertain. However, regardless of whether my grandfather remains in this position, I, Shen Zhongdian, guarantee with the lives of over a hundred members of the Shen Family! What I promise today is also a promise made by the Shen Family!"

Shen Wei almost wanted to scold Shen Zhongdian for being disobedient, but after some thought, realizing his own constant indecisiveness was indeed no good, he could only nod in agreement.

Seeing Shen Wei nod, and seeing the future Head of the Shen Family supporting him so strongly, Zhang San was very pleased.

"Since the Shen Family is willing to help, that simplifies things a lot. First of all..."

Zhang San leaned forward mysteriously, and the father-son duo of Shen Wei and Shen Zhongdian leaned in as well.

Zhang San whispered very quietly, "First, have all these things delivered to my house, including the list of gifts and the gifts themselves, all of it sent over."

Shen Wei was completely baffled, not understanding what Zhang San was planning.

Then, Zhang San smiled slyly and said to Shen Wei, "The rest will be much simpler. After all, these imperial relatives and noble elites, you dare not offend, but in this world, who dares to offend them?"

After finishing speaking, Shen Wei gestured upward with his hand.

Zhang San nodded.

"In that case, as long as you make him understand your hardship in doing this... heh heh! Who would then dare to touch the Shen Family? So, as long as..."

Zhang San laid out his entire plan.

Although Shen Wei felt this was somewhat suicidal, at least it would protect the Shen Family and himself.

Even though it was foreseeable that both he and other members of the Shen Family would be walking on thin ice in the court thereafter.

But as long as Emperor Kaihuang remained on the throne, no one would dare to harm the Shen Family.

And the Shen Family would leap to become one of the most trusted families of Emperor Kaihuang.

It seems, this is the only way!