Long Yelin had never imagined that Zhou Ruiyuan would plead the case of Hu Buwei, his former adversary. He frowned, utterly bewildered. "Hu Buwei and Li Tianheng are related by their children's betrothal. Have you forgotten even that?"
Zhou Ruiyuan said, "If Hu Buwei had known about Li Tianheng's rebellion beforehand, he would never have stayed in the Capital City and sat waiting for death. If Li Tianheng had cared at all about his ties to Hu Buwei as a future in-law, he should have torn up the marriage agreement and severed their relationship before raising his banner. Only then might the Hu Family's lives have been spared. Judging by what he has done, he has shown no consideration for Hu Buwei at all. Instead, he has deliberately implicated him in disloyalty. I fear Li Tianheng would like nothing better than for Your Majesty to kill Hu Buwei."
Long Yelin asked, "Why would Li Tianheng want Hu Buwei dead?"
"As Minister of Revenue, Hu Buwei oversees Great Kang's money and grain. Though profit is all he cares about, he truly does possess exceptional administrative ability. The growing wealth of Great Kang's treasury over these past years is directly linked to his talents. There is likely no one in the Ministry of Revenue who can surpass him. If Your Majesty kills Hu Buwei, Great Kang's finances will inevitably run into trouble in the short term-and that is precisely what Li Tianheng wants to see."
"No matter how capable he is, if he does not serve me wholeheartedly, keeping him will always leave a hidden danger."
Zhou Ruiyuan was about to speak when a young eunuch came to announce that Quan Dean, superintendent of the Directorate of Ceremonial, had arrived.
Upon hearing that Quan Dean had arrived, Long Yelin nodded. "Show him