However, there were some officials who befriended him, those who genuinely cared for the people, sought to accomplish real tasks, refused to follow the crowd or socialise, and who were confidants of the Emperor. Regardless of their inner thoughts, they all appeared to befriend Chu Heng openly.
After all, it was clear at this time that the position of royal power was very stable.
To oppose the Emperor now was akin to not wanting oneâs head.
"Of course, it was merely that someone sent ahead to seize one of his ladyâs shops, and he actually ran to the palace to complain."
Grand Tutor Deng sighed, "You know my temperament."
"Minister Deng is certainly not that kind of person, it seems this time we misunderstood you," someone sighed along.
Yet, there were still some who doubted Grand Tutor Deng, believing him to be deliberately feigning innocence.
To know, subsequently Grand Tutor Dengâs Household voluntarily went to compensate for those goods, it wasnât that Chu Heng forced them. Just from this point, he couldnât clear his name of working for the Emperor.
Intentionally pressuring these subjects and the Gentry Clan.
Thus, amidst the rare occasion when Grand Tutor Deng showed vulnerability to a group, explaining his grievances, soon these people secretly gathered to discuss how to deal with policies.
They cursed Grand Tutor Deng terribly.
Saying the man was hypocritical, speculating the Emperor might secretly subsidise the Deng Family in some way.
Moreover, they described Grand Tutor Deng as simply a mad dog under Emperor Xuanming, biting indiscriminately, advising against being too intimate with him in the future.
In the past, the Deng Familyâs conduct was domineering and arrogant, living lavishly, somewhat unrighteous.
Yet, these Gentry Clan members loved this the most, liking officials who spent money; such officials are easier to buy, arenât they?
If everyone profits from monetary exchanges, while you remain aloof, should anything happen, you can easily extricate yourself and possess some secrets of theirs. Wouldnât you then turn and betray for profit?
This is largely why the official circle is so filthy.
As long as there is a source, it can pressure lower officials to follow suit in corruption, how much can higher officials resist?
Human nature is inherently selfish.
Even if the official himself withstands it, what about his family? If thereâs even a slight wavering, whether by trap or voluntarily, they can be dragged into the mire, naturally making a pondâs water increasingly muddy.
Who knew, this Deng Family, so easy to win over, showed no signs, suddenly biting everyone.
Quite a few officials felt unwilling.
They secretly gathered some evidence and quietly sent it to the palace.
There it was.
Emperor Xuanming had just finished the morning court session and went to Cining Palace to accompany the Dowager Empress for lunch.
Upon returning, on the desk on the bank, he saw these impeachment memorials.
The accusations against Grand Tutor Deng mostly concerned the Deng Familyâs domineering behaviours, land hoarding by Deng clan members, various issues in Deng Family shop ledgers, and other minor embezzlement evidence within the Deng Family.
Meanwhile, those who accused Chu Heng mentioned Ye Muyuâs current shops having a trend of earning gold daily, coupled with Chu Hengâs guards being skilled, and his son going out to sea with Jiangnanâs Maritime Merchants. So much silver, was it not for rebellion?
These people hated Grand Tutor Deng no less than Chu Heng.
Faced with touched interests, they showed no mercy to anyone; the words on the memorials were sharp, mercilessly precise, and with an obvious intent to kill both.
Emperor Xuanming, after reading the memorials against the two, showed no reaction, closed the memorials, and remained quiet for two days.
There was no movement from him above.