#26 - I'll help you get promoted - I am the villain in the book

The Li residence, in terms of grandeur, naturally couldn't compare to the Wei residence, and even seemed a bit shabby, unlike the mansion of a third-rank official.

Actually, this isn't hard to understand. After all, as a "legal worker", Li Kan probably understands the principle that "keeping a low profile leads to longevity."

"Master, Young Master Wei has entered the main gate."

A man who looked like a butler came in to report. Li Kan thought for a moment and stood up, walking to the courtyard.

As an elder, he didn't actually need to come out of the house to greet him, but after all, Wei Changtian's status was special, and his personality was rumored to be extremely eccentric, so it was more prudent to keep a low profile.

He reached out and straightened his clothes. Soon, Wei Changtian and Li Yang appeared in sight.

Hmm?

Wei Changtian's appearance is so handsome?

His imposing manner doesn't seem like that of a violent and ferocious person?

At least he's much better than my own son.

Thinking randomly in his heart, Li Kan showed a smile on his face and quickly went up to greet him.

"Hahaha, my son has repeatedly mentioned Young Master Wei at home. Seeing you today, you are indeed a remarkable talent!"

"Lord Li, you flatter me."

Wei Changtian stopped in front of Li Kan and cupped his hands politely: "This is my first time visiting. I heard from Brother Li that you usually like to drink tea, so I brought some tea leaves. I hope Lord Li won't find them too poor."

"Young Master Wei is very thoughtful."

Li Kan glanced at the box Wang Er was carrying, his smile even wider.

As an expert, he could tell the quality of these tea leaves at a glance.

He might not necessarily want money from Wei Changtian, but tea...

He glanced at the butler, who immediately understood and took the wooden box.

"Young Master Wei, let's talk inside!"

"Alright, Lord Li, please!"

...

Inside the main hall, Wei Changtian and Li Kan sat on either side of the tea table, with a landscape painting by a famous artist hanging behind them.

As for Li Yang, he could only sit in the lower seat as an attendant.

"Young Master Wei, how has your father been recently?"

Li Kan took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "The last time I met Lord Wei was last year. Now that I think about it, a year has already passed. Time really flies."

Li Kan and Wei Xianzhi were not court officials and did not attend court regularly, so it was indeed difficult to have the opportunity to meet.

If it weren't for Li Yang and the previous owner's shared interests, the two families probably wouldn't have any interaction at all.

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Li."

Wei Changtian replied with a smile, "My father is doing well. He mentioned you a few days ago, saying that you are a rare good official in this era."

"Haha, Lord Wei is too kind."

Li Kan didn't believe that Wei Xianzhi would remember him, but he still said politely, "It's all for the sake of the emperor and the people."

"Lord Li, you don't have to be so humble."

Wei Changtian shook his head meaningfully: "The Dali Temple is in charge of handling criminal cases, so the responsibility is inherently great."

"Moreover, everyone knows that Lord Zhang is weak and sickly, and you are actually managing all the affairs in the temple, so you naturally deserve the title of 'good official'!"

"If I may be so bold... Lord Li, you should have been promoted a long time ago."

"..."

The atmosphere in the hall was quiet for a moment, because Wei Changtian's words were indeed too presumptuous, as he himself had said.

The Lord Zhang he mentioned was named Zhang Hongwen, and his official position was Minister of the Dali Temple, who was Li Kan's immediate superior.

Since Wei Changtian said that Li Kan should be promoted, it most likely meant replacing Zhang Hongwen's position.

"Hahaha, Young Master Wei is joking."

"I don't have much ambition in my career. I'm already very content with what I have now."

"Drink tea, drink tea!"

He laughed, wanting to quickly skip this topic.

But who knew that Wei Changtian would be relentless, not only not drinking tea, but also saying something even more shocking.

"Lord Li, I'm not joking... Lord Zhang should indeed move his ass."

"You..."

Li Kan suddenly looked at Wei Changtian, instantly breaking out in a cold sweat.

He didn't know what Wei Changtian's purpose was in saying these words, but he was very clear that if this were to reach Zhang Hongwen's ears, both he and the Wei family would definitely be in trouble.

The Wei family could disregard Zhang Hongwen, but he couldn't!

Taking a step back, even if Wei Changtian really wanted to help him, the method would probably be the assassination that the Hanging Mirror Division often used.

Not only would this be easily exposed, but even if Zhang Hongwen was really killed in the end, according to the Great Ning Law, he would not be able to fill the vacancy of "Minister of the Dali Temple".

For non-military positions, if the superior dies suddenly, the subordinate cannot fill the vacancy.

The Wei family controls the Hanging Mirror Division, so Wei Changtian couldn't possibly not know this.

So... could it be that the Wei family wants to harm me?

Thinking of this, Li Kan couldn't bother to consider Wei Changtian's feelings, and his face suddenly darkened.

"Young Master Wei, I don't understand what you mean! I hope you will think twice before you speak!"

"If you continue to talk nonsense like this, please go back!"

"..."

In an instant, the atmosphere in the room plummeted to freezing point.

Amidst the lingering aroma of tea, neither Li Kan nor Wei Changtian spoke. Instead, Li Yang was the first to speak indignantly.

"Dad! What are you doing?"

"I think Brother Wei is right. That old fart Zhang Hongwen..."

"Shut up! What do you know!"

Li Kan interrupted his son with an angry shout.

Li Yang was stunned, his expression clearly unconvinced.

Just as he was about to argue, Wei Changtian suddenly said softly:

"Brother Li, you should go out first."

"Brother Wei..."

Li Yang looked at Wei Changtian hesitantly. Seeing the latter nod, he reluctantly bowed to Li Kan, then turned and left.

"Lord Li."

Watching Li Yang close the door, Wei Changtian retracted his gaze and suddenly asked Li Kan an irrelevant question.

"What are the capital crimes in the Great Ning Law?"

"..."

Li Kan was the Vice Minister of the Dali Temple, so of course he knew the answer, but he really couldn't understand what Wei Changtian was asking this for.

After a long silence, he reluctantly said a string of crimes, suppressing his anger: "Rebellion, treason, sedition, disrespect, impiety, injustice..."

"Mm."

Wei Changtian listened patiently, then asked again on his own: "Then what crimes can lead to the death of a third-rank official?"

"Hiss..."

Li Kan subconsciously gasped.

Although the first page of the Great Ning Law says "The emperor is equal to the common people before the law", but in reality...

"Rebellion, treason..."

This time, the number of crimes was seven or eight times less than just now.

And Li Kan seemed to know what Wei Changtian was going to say.

"Lord Li, to be honest..."

Sure enough, he soon heard these words from Wei Changtian.

"Lord Zhang has committed one of these crimes."

"..."