met free Chapter 203 "Master of Sycophancy" Gwin's Descendants Were Switched
Chapter 203 "Master of Sycophancy" Gwin's Descendants Were Switched
*Smack!* Qu Youjiu slammed the gavel down!
"Hey everyone, listen up! Today I'm going to tell you a dramatic tale of palace intrigue in the Tang Dynasty, guaranteed to be more exciting than the squabbles of widows in our Great Chong Kingdom!"
As Zi'an and Xiao Si were squatting on the kang (heated brick bed) eating melon seeds, Zi'an suddenly slapped his thigh: "Have you seen that housekeeper who's always clinging to that woman Gao Dan? That's no proper housekeeper!"
Little Si choked on a sunflower seed shell: "An illegitimate housekeeper? What's that? I don't understand..."
"That's Jiwen! The eldest nephew of Jixu, the former prime minister! This guy's a real sly fox! He's incredibly cunning! He's a master at sucking up to superiors, more adept than a grandson serving his grandfather! Absolutely obsequious!"
In the first year of the Tianbao era, this guy managed to become the magistrate of Xinfeng. As a result, he befriended Xue Yi, a follower of the crown prince, and brought him to see the emperor.
Emperor Xuanzong squinted at it: "This guy's eyes are darting around, he's definitely not a good prospect! No need!" He then stamped the decision and sealed the deal!
Guess what Giwin did? He squatted at the cervix with snotty tissues in his pocket and ate three roujiamo (Chinese meat sandwiches)! Because nothing could stop him…
Indeed, when Xiao Jiong took office as the Prefect of Henan, the Imperial Censor actually sent Ji Wen to Henan Prefecture for questioning.
Ji Wen had to be "impartial and incorruptible," so he even investigated Xiao Jiong without showing any mercy.
Right Chancellor Li Linfu and Xiao Jiong had a close personal relationship. It was under Li Linfu's protection that Xiao Jiong was able to escape this calamity.
When Xiao Jiong became the Prefect of Henan, Ji Wen's methods of investigating cases were superb. Once he caught someone, he would strip them bare, no matter what their background was!
Upon seeing this, Right Chancellor Li Linfu stamped his feet in exasperation: "Are you crazy? That's my sworn brother!"
Jiwen chuckled: "I'm just offering my allegiance to the higher-ups!"
Ji Wen would often bring a small bottle of liquor to Gao Lishi's house. The two of them were chatting happily on the kang (a heated brick bed) when suddenly a loud shout came from outside: "Lord Xiao has arrived!"
Just as Ji Wen was about to leave, Xiao Jiong came to report that he wanted to see him.
It turns out that Xiao Jiong often visited Gao Lishi in private.
Upon learning of this, Ji Wen arrived at Xiao Jiong's house ahead of time.
He deliberately chatted happily with Gao Lishi, and the two even held hands, their intimate manner astonishing.
Ji Wen, channeling his inner drama queen, scurried under the table, exclaiming, "Oh my god, Lord Xiao is going to beat me up!"
Gao Lishi suppressed a laugh: "Old Xiao, this is my buddy!"
When Xiao Jiong saw it was him, his face turned as green as a pickled cucumber, but he had no choice but to bow and leave.
The most remarkable thing was that Xiao Jiong was promoted to Prefect of Jingzhao, while Ji Wen was transferred to the post of Commandant of Wannian.
What does it mean to meet your nemesis on a narrow road? What does it mean to be caught in a web of unpredictable events?
Ji Wen was assigned to Wannian County as a county magistrate. In terms of official rank, Ji Wen was Xiao Jiong's subordinate.
But Jiwen did not take the initiative to visit him, which made even Gao Dan's wife worry for him, secretly sighing that he was really too bold.
Furthermore, Ji Wen's mistress, Gao Dan, was a married woman who wore heavy makeup, thick rouge, and flamboyant clothes. She would often wander around the streets of Chang'an as part of a "model team."
Although she was somewhat attractive, she was simple-minded, barely literate, and spoke in vulgar slang. But this did not prevent her from being as cunning as a honeycomb.
When Gao Dan learned of Ji Wen's various schemes in officialdom, he also began to make his own plans.
She always felt that she could benefit greatly from Giwin's meteoric rise, so she spent her days whispering self-righteous "ideas" in Giwin's ear.
For example, once, Ji Wen was worried about how to please Xiao Jiong, and Gao Dan patted his chest and said, "Just send him some rare trinkets, or if that doesn't work, find a few pretty girls, and I guarantee he'll be happy." Ji Wen smiled helplessly and didn't argue, letting her chatter on and on.
He was still influenced by Gao Dan, and Ji Wen swaggered into the Xiao residence, slumped into a grand chair, and then...
“Old Xiao, business is business, but from now on we’re in this together! I, Xiao Ji, will do my best. What do you think, sir?” He said, pulling out an account book and slamming it on the table.
Xiao Jiong was initially a little apprehensive, but now he was rubbing his hands together with delight: "You should have said so earlier, brother! Someone, get Lord Ji a whole pot of sauerkraut stew with pork bones!" The wind quickly shifted, and the villain was overjoyed.
Furthermore, the conflict between Li Linfu and Li Shizhi and Zhang Ji was like a volcano about to erupt, ready to explode at any moment.
Li Shizhi, as Minister of War, wielded considerable power;
Zhang Ji's elder brother, Zhang Jun, served as the Vice Minister of War, a position of great importance within the ministry.
Li Linfu, fearing the growing power of the Ministry of War, secretly plotted to have his confidants uncover loopholes in the Ministry's selection process for officials.
Soon, more than sixty cheating cases were exposed, shocking the court like a bombshell.
When Emperor Xuanzong learned of this, he was furious and immediately ordered the Prefect of Jingzhao and the Imperial Censor to conduct a thorough investigation and find out the truth.
However, after many days of investigation, the case remained stagnant, like being stuck in a quagmire.
Gao Dan was always engrossed in buying new clothes, shuttling between the most prosperous fabric shops in Chang'an. She knew the patterns and textures of silks and satins like the back of her hand, and her room was filled with her colorful new clothes.
Don't be fooled by her vain appearance; she is extremely malicious and ruthless. Although she doesn't often participate in court affairs, she is always keeping a close eye on the changing situation.
That day, Gao Dan, dressed in a brand-new long dress embroidered with peonies, gracefully walked up to Li Linfu, casually fiddling with the silk handkerchief in her hand, and softly said:
"My lord, don't worry too much about the Ministry of War's affairs. In my opinion... we're sure to find something to use against us."
Gao Dan picked up a newly arrived piece of Shu brocade and examined it, then sneered, "You can't even handle this small matter. It seems I'll have to step in..."
She put down the Shu brocade and recommended Ji Wen to Li Linfu!
At Gao Dan's suggestion, Xiao Jiong earnestly requested Ji Wen to take action!
Li Linfu then acted according to the plan.
Soon, this deadlock was broken, and more than sixty cheating cases were exposed with irrefutable evidence, instantly shocking the imperial court!
Jiwen initially looked down on this woman from Gaodan, but unexpectedly, she got him a project...
Upon taking over, he immediately began arranging the interrogation.
Xiao Jiong, frustrated by his ineffective investigation, cried out in desperation, his mouth blistered: "Brother Ji, help me!"
Jiwen stormed into the cell with a fire poker, specifically targeting the two troublemakers: "Look at you two, acting like you're performing a folk dance?!"
The prisoners were then separated and placed on either side of the main hall, creating a tense and oppressive atmosphere.
After confirming the identities of two seemingly key figures among the prisoners, they were taken directly to the small hut at the back.
The interrogation began, and Jiwen showed no mercy, subjecting the victim to severe torture!
Just then, Gao Dan suddenly appeared, dressed in a gorgeous new dress. She was broad-shouldered and burly. Looking at the tortured prisoners, she raised her head and said, "You think you can get away with this by confessing? You're too naive! If you don't explain everything clearly, your whole family won't have a good time." Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a fierce edge.
Suddenly, a shrill scream echoed from the small house: "My lord, spare us! We'll confess everything, we'll confess everything you say!"
After the interrogation ended, the two prisoners were taken out. They were pale and staggering... They looked like they came from hell, which was terrifying.
The other prisoners and officials in the hall, witnessing this scene, were so frightened that their legs went weak and they broke out in a cold sweat.
Before the interrogating officials could even speak, they rushed to confess, begging to avoid physical punishment.
What was originally a tricky case was quickly resolved in the middle of the day thanks to Jiwen's methods.
Upon hearing this, Li Linfu praised Ji Wen's abilities highly, believing him to be a promising talent who would surely be of use to him in the future.
As for Jiwen, he was already very arrogant and often made boastful claims:
"If I gain the favor of a wise ruler, even a fierce tiger in the Southern Mountains can be captured with ease."
These words revealed his eagerness to be given an important position. All of this stemmed from Gao Dan.
Jiwen was adept at navigating the political arena. With his exceptional intelligence and chilling methods, he thrived in the game of power, moving freely and effortlessly.
He was thoughtful in every step he took, and every decision he made was full of hidden meaning.
Gao Dan, this woman, followed Ji Wen closely like a leech.
She appears innocent and harmless, but deep down she is filled with greed and scheming.
Whenever she saw Jiwen standing majestically and powerfully in the court, and compared it with her own mediocre and incompetent husband, who could barely support her shopping expenses, her dissatisfaction and jealousy grew wildly like weeds.
On a dark and stormy night, she and Mrs. Giwin, an equally ambitious woman, plotted in a secret room, and a scheme to switch the pieces began.
They secretly swapped two infants, and A'Ruo, this innocent little life, became a victim of their selfish desires.
Aruo grew up amidst Gaodan's indifference and abuse. She didn't understand why she could never receive her mother's love and could only silently endure everything in loneliness and fear.
Gao Dan, however, was immersed in his own dream, fantasizing that one day he could use his relationship with Ji Wen to step into the bustling center of power and enjoy endless wealth and glory.
Jiwen's ambition was like that of a gluttonous beast that could never be satisfied. His vision had long surpassed the power before him, and he didn't even care about the powerful and treacherous minister Li Linfu.
During Li Linfu's lifetime, Jiwen secretly amassed power, waiting for the opportunity to overthrow Li Linfu and take his place.
Finally, Li Linfu died, and the political situation in the court changed dramatically in an instant.
Jiwen keenly sensed a subtle shift in the emperor's attitude toward Li Linfu, and his opportunity had arrived!
He quickly colluded with powerful figures in the court, such as Yang Guozhong and An Lushan, to jointly plan a basic operation to take advantage of Li Linfu's misfortune.
At Ji Wen's instigation, Yang Guozhong falsely accused Li Linfu of plotting a rebellion to the emperor.
In an instant, the political landscape of the court changed dramatically. Although Li Linfu had already passed away, he could not escape the fate of having his family property confiscated and his clan exterminated.
His entire fortune was confiscated, and his descendants were reduced to slaves. The once invincible Li family thus declined.
However, the wheels of fate did not stop turning.
Years later, as Jiwin basks in the glory of his power, a startling secret is about to surface.
It turns out that the descendants of Li Linfu, whom he had always regarded as a thorn in his side, actually carried his bloodline?!
He spent his entire life pursuing power, yet because of that foolish woman, Gao Dan, he unknowingly destroyed his own flesh and blood. When the truth was revealed, his world collapsed instantly…