APSIL -Chapter 117 Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole, Demanding Accountability

After bringing a group of ministers to watch the entire experiment, and then—without the slightest sense of responsibility—dumping two princes who had just reached the age for basic education, along with a whole group of unruly youths, onto Zhang Shou, the emperor left the residence of his respected teacher Ge Yong in high spirits, leading a large entourage away from the Ge residence.

As for the plaque personally inscribed by the founding emperor, after being dried of its water stains, it was handed over to Zhou Xun, the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Academy.

As for this Grand Secretary—who had once suffered greatly because of this very plaque, but had now learned in shock that the plaque truly contained a hidden hollow compartment—whatever internal struggle he would experience afterward was no longer something the emperor cared about.

However, not everyone left.

Ge Yong’s old friend and lifelong rival, Chu Ying and Qi Jingshan, stayed behind. And surprisingly, Wang Jie, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, also used the excuse that he had something to ask Teacher Ge about and openly remained at the Ge residence.

What surprised Zhang Shou, however, was that Minister of War Lu Wan had originally been dragging his feet at the very back of the departing group. Then Zhu Ying seized the opportunity to suddenly step forward and stop him—and somehow, he ended up staying as well.

Ge Yong had originally intended to keep Zhang Shou behind to discuss the issue of the terminology manual.

After all, heaven knew how he had recently become the most prolific celebrity in the publishing world, yet not a single book had been something he knew about beforehand. Every time, he only found out after the fact. Now he intended to properly publish a book under his own name and restore his reputation.

Naturally, he found this gathering of people rather troublesome.

Especially someone like Lu Wan—a man completely devoted to climbing the official ladder and chasing wealth and status—was absolutely not among the people he welcomed.

Even Qi Jingshan, Chu Ying, and Wang Datou staying behind was merely because Ge Yong regarded them as people he could show off to.

But showing off to someone like Lu Wan, who could not understand those terms at all, was no different from playing music to a cow.

Therefore, he simply could not be bothered to figure out why Zhu Ying had stopped Lu Wan from leaving.

He ordered a mute servant to return to his study and bring out the organized terminology manual.

Then, with a proud expression, he said: “You all are fortunate today. This is the simplified terminology manual that my final disciple Zhang Shou and I researched together. We have changed all those difficult and obscure terms from mathematical classics into words that ordinary people can understand.”

Chu Ying immediately mocked him out of habit: “You and Zhang Shou researched this together? You old fossil who originally refused to even use Arabic numerals—when did you suddenly become so fashionable? Who doesn’t know that you used to shout that fools had no qualifications to study mathematical classics?”

Ge Yong immediately retorted: “What’s wrong with me becoming fashionable? Who can blame me when there are so many fools in this world that even many people cannot understand the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art? If mathematics continues to be studied only by a few old men like us, what meaning does it have? Casting a wide net catches more fish. How can you not understand such a simple principle? You really are becoming senile!”

Zhu Ying, who had just been classified as one of the “fools,” immediately puffed up her cheeks.

Then, as if making a decision, she thought:

Even if it is only so that I can have more things to talk about with Zhang Shou in the future, it seems I really need to study these things properly.

Meanwhile, Lu Wan, who had also been placed into the category of “fools,” almost felt his face twitch.

He once again remembered the time when Zhang Shou had explained things to him, yet he had not understood a single word.

It had been unbearably embarrassing.

Qi Jingshan ignored his two argumentative old friends.

Holding one of the scrolls, he quietly stood aside and began reading.

Meanwhile, Wang Jie, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, who also had considerable knowledge of mathematics, held the book in his hand but instead called Zhang Shou aside.

“There is something I did not have time to tell you before.”

Wang Jie’s large face remained extremely calm, as though he were discussing something completely insignificant.

“The letter you deciphered—I did not reveal the truth during court today. Instead, I slightly altered several characters and disguised it as one of the least important letters among the thirteen.”

After a moment of surprise, Zhang Shou immediately understood.

“You wanted others to mistakenly believe that I actually failed to decipher it, so that the real culprit behind everything would reveal himself?”

“Exactly.”

Wang Jie was clearly pleased that he was speaking with someone who understood.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

Then, lowering his voice, he read aloud the altered version of the letter he had presented.

Afterward, he continued explaining: “The real letter has already been secretly submitted to His Majesty in a memorial. Just now, His Majesty also agreed with my method. After all, regardless of whether someone deliberately mixed truth with falsehood, once the news spreads, that person will inevitably overthink things. If he becomes anxious and makes another move, then it will become much easier to catch his mistake…”

Before Wang Jie could finish, Zhang Shou interrupted with a smile: “Prefect Wang, as long as you have your own plan, that is enough. I only concern myself with deciphering the secret letters. How to deal with the aftermath, how to lure out the enemy—that is your responsibility. But did you tell Lu Sanlang, Xiao Qi, and Xiao Dai about this plan? As long as those three do not accidentally reveal anything, that is enough.”

“If it weren’t for the Empress Dowager summoning you today, you would have had to wait until I returned before leaving the Shuntian Prefecture office. Those three are probably still running around in circles inside the prefecture office right now.”

Wang Jie spoke as casually as ever.

Then he lowered his head and flipped through the book in his hand.

His eyes swept over the terminology inside, and he raised his head again.

“The things Teacher Ge and you researched together are certainly excellent. When it is officially printed, send me a copy.”

He paused.

Then, as if afraid Zhang Shou would misunderstand, he added: “The book is too expensive. I cannot afford it.”

He deliberately raised his voice slightly for those final seven words.

Sure enough, Ge Yong—who had just been arguing with Chu Ying over who was more old-fashioned and had moved on to discussing a difficult problem—had extremely sharp ears.

He immediately caught those words.

The Grand Tutor Ge exploded in anger: “Wang Datou! You actually have the nerve to complain about being poor? Was it me who set such a high price? It was those greedy merchants! Besides, if books become as cheap as vegetables, wouldn’t they just be wasted on fools?”

Once again struck by the “fool” remark, Lu Wan finally could not endure it anymore.

Seeing Wang Jie calmly return the manuscript to Zhang Shou, bow respectfully to Ge Yong, and then simply leave, Lu Wan—who had originally stayed behind specifically to block Wang Jie—immediately prepared to chase after him.

But once again, Zhu Ying blocked his path.

The irritated Minister of War, his face dark with anger, coldly questioned: “Miss Zhu, what exactly is the meaning of this?”

“What do I mean?” Zhu Ying gave a light laugh.

Then her smile disappeared, and she asked coldly: “Actually, I want to ask you what you mean! You ordered Lu Sanlang to chase after me like a lovesick fool, trying every possible way to win my attention. You also tempted my second brother into suggesting a marriage alliance with my family. But behind the scenes, you were secretly instigating people to deal with my father…”

“Minister Lu, why don’t you explain what exactly you are trying to do?”

When Zhang Shou saw Zhu Ying stop Lu Wan just now, he had immediately thought something was wrong.

And when he heard Zhu Ying fire off question after question like a barrage of arrows, he originally wanted to stop her.

But after hesitating for only a moment, she had already thrown out every accusation.

However, thinking about the promise he had made to her before—and how he had indeed failed to fulfill it—he ultimately stepped forward and stood beside her.

Lu Wan did not know whether Wang Jie, who had just left, had stopped after hearing Zhu Ying’s words.

But he did know one thing.

Ge Yong and Chu Ying, who had been arguing moments ago, as well as Qi Jingshan, who had been watching the show from the side, had all simultaneously turned their eyes toward him.

Although these three men had long since withdrawn from the center of government affairs, they were all once extremely influential figures.

If Zhu Ying’s words spread through them, the consequences would be disastrous.

Embarrassed and furious, Lu Wan subconsciously looked toward Zhang Shou.

His voice was icy: “So it turns out that yesterday, when Scholar Zhang asked me that question on behalf of Miss Zhu at Zhigong Tower, you had already decided in your heart that I was the one who slandered Duke Zhao?”

Zhu Ying turned her head and looked at Zhang Shou in disbelief.

Seeing that his expression remained calm and unchanged, she suddenly remembered—

Not only had he promised her that he would investigate this matter, he had actually followed through with his promise.

Now, by recklessly stopping Lu Wan and confronting him directly, she might have ruined his plan.

She could not help but feel her face grow slightly warm.

But at that very moment, she happened to meet Zhang Shou’s gaze.

With just one glance, all her uneasiness disappeared.

That look seemed to tell her:

It’s fine. Since you already said it, then so be it.

Zhang Shou withdrew his gaze.

Seeing Lu Wan’s unpleasant expression, he smiled faintly and said: “Minister Lu, didn’t you refuse to answer me yesterday?”

The words Lu Wan had just thrown out had immediately been turned back against him.

The Minister of War gritted his teeth in hatred.

But in front of Ge Yong and the others, he absolutely could not admit to such an accusation.

He angrily flicked his sleeve.

“Utter nonsense! Zhu Ying, your father and brother themselves suffered defeat in battle, yet you and Zhang Shou are trying to shift the blame onto others. No wonder the sages said, ‘Only women and petty people are difficult to deal with—’”

Before he could finish those final words, Zhu Ying—whose emotions had gone through several dramatic ups and downs today—immediately fired back: “Unable to argue anymore, so you want to insult people? Is this the dignity and upbringing of a Minister? Don’t think you are the only person in the world who has read the Analects. The next line is:

‘When treated closely, they become disrespectful; when kept at a distance, they become resentful.’

Who would want to get close to you? With your personality, everyone probably wishes they could stay as far away from you as possible!”

Zhang Shou knew that since Zhu Ying had been categorized as a “woman,” then naturally he himself had become the “petty person.”

He did not care at all.

Raising his eyebrows slightly, he said mockingly: “Minister Lu looks down upon women and petty people. But perhaps there is a common saying among women and petty people that you have never heard before.

‘Those who scheme too cleverly often end up destroying themselves.’”

Before Lu Wan could become angry from embarrassment, Zhang Shou calmly continued:

“Last night at the Shuntian Prefecture office, I learned the entire story behind those secret letters. The matter began in the Ministry of War. And the incident eventually happened at Linhai Camp. Minister Lu, please think carefully.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Wan finally managed to suppress his anger.

His current situation was already dangerous enough.

If the Zhao State Duke’s residence truly believed that he was the mastermind behind the attacks against Duke Zhao and his son, then they would become mortal enemies.

And if they launched a full counterattack, then he—the person who had believed himself hidden in the shadows—would be the one suffering.

Therefore, he placed his hands behind his back, using the position to hide his clenched fists repeatedly tightening and loosening.

Then he coldly said: “I have no grievances with Duke Zhao and his son. Furthermore, civil officials and military officials have nothing to do with each other. If he truly returns defeated, then naturally I would submit an impeachment memorial. But right now there is no news at all. The ones acting based on rumors are those censors. Do you think I have so much free time?”

After saying this, he sneered: “If you two want to demand accountability, then perhaps you should investigate Grand Secretary Zhang Yu and Commander Zhang Xinling properly. The two of them cooperate with each other and have long been enemies of the Zhao State Duke’s Zhu family. And there is also Zhang Chen’s father—the Qin State Duke Zhang Chuan, whom everyone considers mediocre and incapable. He has coveted the position held by Duke Zhao and Duke Chu among the honored military families for a long time!”

After saying this, Lu Wan turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Seeing Zhu Ying’s shocked and angry expression, Zhang Shou said: “Yingying, Teacher and the two gentlemen, Qi and Chu, are watching. Don’t cry. If you have any grievances, tell them.”

Zhu Ying was completely stunned.

Who is crying?

My eyes aren’t even red!

The next moment, she saw Zhang Shou reach out his hand, as if he intended to wipe away her tears.

She instantly froze.

Completely caught off guard, she failed to notice that Zhang Shou was actually watching Lu Wan’s departing figure from the corner of his eye.

Naturally, she also failed to notice—

Lu Wan’s footsteps suddenly paused.

And then, as if fleeing, he walked away even faster.