READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 26: I'll Help You Get Promoted
Chapter 26: I’ll Help You Get Promoted
In terms of grandeur, the Li residence naturally couldn’t compare to the Wei residence, and it even seemed a bit shabby, not befitting a third-rank official’s mansion.
But this was understandable. After all, Li Kan, as a “legal worker,” probably understood the principle of “keeping a low profile for longevity.”
“Master, Young Master Wei has entered through the main gate.”
The steward-like figure came in to report, and after a moment of thought, Li Kan stood up and walked to the courtyard.
As an elder, he didn’t need to come out to greet, but given Wei Changtian’s special status and rumored eccentric personality, it was safer to maintain a lower profile.
After straightening his clothes, Wei Changtian and Li Yang appeared in sight.
Huh?
Was Wei Changtian’s appearance really this handsome?
His dignified demeanor didn’t resemble that of a violent and ferocious person at all?
At least he was much better than his own son.
Thinking randomly, Li Kan smiled and quickly walked over.
“Hahaha, my son often mentioned Young Master Wei at home. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation!”
“Master Li is too kind.”
Wei Changtian stood opposite Li Kan, politely clasping his hands, “Since it’s my first visit, I heard from Young Master Li that you usually enjoy tea, so I brought some tea leaves. I hope Master Li won’t mind.”
“Young Master Wei is thoughtful.”
Li Kan glanced at the box Wang Er was holding and smiled even more.
As an expert, he could tell the grade of these tea leaves at a glance.
If Wei Changtian wanted to give money, he might not accept it, but tea leaves…
He glanced at the steward, who immediately understood and took the wooden box.
“Young Master Wei, let’s talk inside!”
“Alright, Master Li, please!”
…
In the main hall, Wei Changtian and Li Kan sat on opposite sides of the tea table, with a landscape painting by a famous artist hanging behind them.
As for Li Yang, he could only sit beside them.
“Young Master Wei, how has your father been lately?”
Li Kan took a sip of tea and smiled, “The last time I saw Mr. Wei was last year. It’s been a whole year, time flies.”
Li Kan and Wei Xianzhi were not court officials, so they usually didn’t attend court, making it difficult for them to meet.
If it weren’t for Li Yang and the former master being like-minded, their families probably wouldn’t have had any interaction at all.
“Thank you for your concern, Master Li.”
Wei Changtian smiled, “Father is well. He mentioned you a few days ago, saying you are a rare good official in today’s times.”
“Haha, Mr. Wei is too kind.”
Li Kan didn’t believe that Wei Xianzhi would remember him, but he still politely replied, “It’s all for the Emperor and the people.”
“Master Li, no need to be so modest.”
Wei Changtian shook his head meaningfully, “Handling the judicial cases in the Grand Court of Justice is already a great responsibility.”
“Moreover, everyone knows that Mr. Zhang is frail and often ill. In fact, you are the one managing all the affairs in the court. You truly deserve the title of a ‘good official’!”
“I’m sorry to say something presumptuous… Master Li, you should have taken a step further a long time ago.”
“…”
The room fell silent for a moment because Wei Changtian’s words were indeed too presumptuous.
The Mr. Zhang he mentioned was Zhang Hongwen, the Minister of Justice, and Li Kan’s immediate superior.
Wei Changtian implying that Li Kan should advance further was likely suggesting replacing Zhang Hongwen.
Li Kan naturally wanted to be promoted, and he even wished Zhang Hongwen would hurry up and pass away, but he also understood that this was not something Wei Changtian could decide.
Not even Wei Xianzhi could.
“Hahaha, Young Master Wei is joking.”
“I don’t have too many ambitions in my career, and I’m already content.”
“Let’s drink tea, drink tea!”
With a laugh, Li Kan wanted to quickly change the topic.
But to his surprise, Wei Changtian was relentless. Not only did he refuse to drink tea, but he also said an even more shocking statement.
“Master Li, I’m not joking… Mr. Zhang should really move aside.”
“You…”
Li Kan looked at Wei Changtian abruptly, breaking out in a cold sweat in an instant.
He didn’t understand Wei Changtian’s intentions in saying these things, but he was very clear that if these words were heard by Zhang Hongwen, his and the Wei family’s trouble would be inevitable.
The Wei family might disregard Zhang Hongwen, but he couldn’t!
Moreover, even if Wei Changtian genuinely wanted to help him, the methods would likely involve the typical assassination techniques used by the Mirror Division.
Not only was this method prone to exposure, but even if Zhang Hongwen were truly eliminated, according to the laws of the Peace Dynasty, he couldn’t fill the vacancy of the Minister of Justice.
A non-military position, if the superior dies suddenly, cannot be filled by the subordinate.
The Wei family controlled the Mirror Division, and Wei Changtian couldn’t possibly be unaware of this.
So… could it be that the Wei family wanted to harm him?
With this thought, Li Kan no longer cared about preserving Wei Changtian’s face. His expression immediately turned grim.
“Young Master Wei, I don’t understand what you mean! I hope you think before you speak!”
“If you continue with such nonsensical talk, please leave!”
“…”
In an instant, the atmosphere in the room plummeted to freezing point.
Amidst the lingering scent of tea, neither Li Kan nor Wei Changtian spoke. It was Li Yang who first spoke up in indignation.
“Dad! What are you doing?”
“I think what Young Master Wei said makes sense. That old Zhang Hongwen…”
“Shut up! What do you know?”
Li Kan’s angry shout interrupted his son’s words.
Li Yang was stunned, his expression clearly showing his discontent.
And just as he was about to retort, Wei Changtian suddenly spoke softly:
“Brother Li, please leave first.”
“Wei Changtian…”
Li Yang hesitated, looking at Wei Changtian, who nodded, before reluctantly bowing to Li Kan and leaving.
“Master Li.”
Watching Li Yang close the door, Wei Changtian withdrew his gaze and suddenly asked Li Kan a seemingly unrelated question.
“What are the capital crimes according to the laws of the Peace Dynasty?”
Li Kan, as the Deputy Minister of the Grand Court of Justice, naturally knew the answer, but he couldn’t understand why Wei Changtian was asking this.
After a moment of silence, he reluctantly replied with a string of charges: “Treason, rebellion, sedition, great disrespect, impiety, injustice…”
“Okay.”
Wei Changtian patiently listened, then asked again, seemingly to himself: “And what crime could warrant the death penalty for a third-rank official?”
Li Kan subconsciously gasped.
Although the first page of the laws of the Peace Dynasty stated “The Emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people,” in reality…
“Treason, rebellion…”
This time, the charges were reduced by seventy to eighty percent compared to before.
And it seemed that Li Kan also knew what Wei Changtian was about to say.
“Master Li, I’ll be frank with you…”
Sure enough, he soon heard these words from Wei Changtian.
“Of these charges, Mr. Zhang has committed one of them.”
“…”
Li Kan swallowed hard, his voice trembling as he asked, “W-Which one?”
Li Kan’s heart sank as he heard those words.
“Raising demons…”
He knew he probably shouldn’t have asked, but he couldn’t help himself.
Wei Changtian didn’t intend to hide anything either. After a moment of contemplation, he uttered the two words.
“Raising demons.”