The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 286

"Does Lord Xia know why so many doctors these days are ineffective?"

Yang Yiqing didn't rush to explain, but instead asked a seemingly unrelated question.

"Because many doctors nowadays, and even the imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy in the past, treat patients based on the principle of avoiding mistakes rather than seeking merit. They have little skill, but are afraid of making mistakes, so they can only prescribe mild tonics."

Yang Yiqing took a sip of tea and spoke calmly.

"But when it comes to treating illnesses and saving lives, the key is to prescribe the right medicine for the right symptoms. To be more precise, it's about using poison to fight poison, using the properties of medicine to correct the body's imbalances. If the medicine is appropriate, one dose can cure the illness."

After saying this, Yang Yiqing stopped explaining and looked at Xia Yan.

Xia Yan was a shrewd person, and he immediately understood the meaning behind those words.

"How could a fool like Chen Wanyan be a match for Zhou Chu? Once Zhou Chu regains the emperor's trust, not to mention Chen Wanyan, neither you nor I will be a match for him."

Xia Yan said with a worried expression.

"So what? Zhou Chu has already investigated most of the cases that needed to be investigated. Even if he takes action in the future, it won't be more frequent than Chen Wanyan's. Besides, Zhou Chu won't interfere with the appointment of officials."

Yang Yiqing looked at Xia Yan with a big smile on his face.

He's a true old fox; he can always remain calm and collected.

Even Xia Yan had to admire Yang Yiqing's composure.

"Moreover, Zhou Chu is not as stupid as Chen Wanyan. He knows very well that he will be safer with you and me in the court."

Yang Yiqing said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Xia Yan fell silent. If anyone in the court was most wary of Zhou Chu, it was undoubtedly Xia Yan.

Whether it was when Zhou Chu led his men to storm his residence in the capital a year ago, or when he directly replaced a thousand officials with the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, or his later experiences in Jiangnan, all of these left Xia Yan with lingering fears.

Especially after his trip to Jiangnan, Xia Yan was thankful countless times that he had returned to the capital early; otherwise, during that rebellion, Xia Yan felt that Zhou Chu might have taken the opportunity to eliminate him as well.

However, Xia Yan also knew that this possibility was unlikely. Zhou Chu had one or two opportunities to kill him without any consequences, but Zhou Chu did not do so.

Xia Yan immediately understood that Zhou Chu was keeping this for himself to balance the situation.

Xia Yan, who had served as an official for many years, saw through this at a glance.

As the saying goes, when faced with two evils, choose the lesser. Xia Yan had to admit that the harm and damage that Chen Wanyan brought to them was much greater than that of Zhou Chu today.

These cunning old foxes are most afraid of someone like Chen Wanyan, who is both stupid and wicked, yet they are powerless against him, rendering all their methods useless.

Because Chen Wanyan has the emperor behind him.

At this moment, both Xia Yan and Yang Yiqing realized that even without Zhou Chu, the emperor would still support others, such as Chen Wanyan. Compared to someone like Chen Wanyan, they preferred to compete with someone like Zhou Chu who followed the rules.

At the very least, Zhou Chu was very disciplined and never overstepped his bounds or tried to interfere in the appointment of officials.

People like Chen Wanyan are the ones who give them the biggest headache.

This tactic of using one enemy to devour another may not be the best strategy, but it is the most effective method they can think of at the moment.

"Then let's do it the way the Grand Secretary suggested."

Xia Yan said with a hint of helplessness.

Xia Yan had no desire to face Zhou Chu unless absolutely necessary. Every time she faced Zhou Chu, Xia Yan felt a deep sense of powerlessness, as if all her methods were useless against this young man.

At the court meeting the following day, officials from Chen Wanyan's side began impeaching other officials as was customary.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Commander Zhou is the most suitable person to supervise all officials, as he is the one who should be in charge of the affairs of the government."

Yang Yiqing stepped forward, interrupting the group of officials.

Upon hearing this, Jiajing became interested and thought to himself that he could finally resist.

"But Hengqi has worked hard and made great contributions this year, and he has indeed been overworked. I just let him rest a few days ago."

Jiajing hesitated.

“Your Majesty, Commander Zhou is in the prime of his life, unlike us old folks. How could we feel tired? I think the Grand Secretary makes a lot of sense.”

Xia Yan also stepped forward.

"Oh? Didn't Gongjin say before that Hengqi persecuted loyal and virtuous people? Why are you speaking up for him now?"

Jiajing looked at Xia Yan with great interest.

Xia Yan wanted to curse when he heard this. He thought to himself, who knew that after Zhou Chu was gone, Chen Wanyan would come along. If he had any other options, he wouldn't have acted like this.

"Yes, Your Excellency, such inconsistency is laughable."

If anyone is the least willing to let Zhou Chu return, Chen Wanyan would be at the top of the list. Chen Wanyan currently wields considerable influence in the court, and if Zhou Chu were to return and take control of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Northern Garrison, many things would no longer be up to him.

Moreover, Chen Wanyan was well aware that the conflict between him and Zhou Chu seemed to be even greater. If Zhou Chu were to return and gain the Emperor's favor again, Chen Wanyan really had no confidence that he could defeat Zhou Chu.

"Lord Chen, you are mistaken. As the saying goes, times change. I simply did not see things clearly before. Just like the people in the capital before, they all thought that Lord Zhou was persecuting loyal officials. But if you think about it carefully, Lord Zhou has never accepted any benefits from anyone, and those officials whose property was confiscated were not wronged."

Having served as an official for many years, Xia Yan had a thick skin, so he naturally wouldn't feel embarrassed by Jiajing and Chen Wanyan's words.

"As for Lord Chen, I've heard that the line to deliver gifts at the gate of the Chen residence is endless every day, with chests of silver being carried into the Chen residence. Compared to Lord Chen, Commander Zhou is truly dedicated to the country and its people."

Before leaving, Xia Yan couldn't resist taking a jab at Chen Wanyan.

"Lord Xia is making baseless accusations. You should be careful what you say without any evidence."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wanyan immediately became anxious. His affair could not be kept secret at all; there were simply too many people lining up to give him gifts every day. Chen Wanyan hadn't even considered keeping it from Jiajing.

He felt that Jiajing's failure to investigate meant he was turning a blind eye to what he had done.

"Alright, let's talk about weighing instruments."

Jiajing's words brought the topic back on track.

"What do you think of Yongxiu?"

Jiajing looked at Yang Shen.

"Your Majesty believes that a ruler's word is law. Since Your Majesty has allowed Zhou Hengqi to rest, then let him rest well for a while. As the saying goes, sharpening the axe will not delay the work of chopping wood."

Yang Shen couldn't wait to see more fun. These past few days, he had watched Yang Yiqing and Xia Yan being tormented by Chen Wanyan, and he felt incredibly pleased.

Moreover, Yang Shen also noticed that Chen Wanyan's people impeached officials in a systematic way, specifically targeting those from Yang Yiqing and Xia Yan's side. Yang Shen didn't know if it was a coincidence or someone deliberately guiding the process, but in any case, this was the kind of scene Yang Shen wanted to see.

Yang Shen felt extremely pleased to see Chen Wanyan being attacked so fiercely by his followers at every court assembly, and to see Yang Yiqing and Xia Yan helpless.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Lord Zhou has worked hard and made great contributions. Since he is resting, he should take a good rest for a while."

Han Jie, having finally grasped the meaning, stepped forward and spoke.

Thus, a ridiculous scene unfolded in the court: Yang Shen, Han Jie, and others who had previously sided with Zhou Chu opposed his reinstatement, while those who had previously flattered or impeached him petitioned for his return to power.

Suddenly, no one paid attention to the impeachment of the officials under Chen Wanyan.