"Your Highness, now you know how infuriating Zhao Cheng is, right?"

Seeing Yuan Li's angry expression, Wen Hu felt a secret sense of satisfaction, a feeling that he could make Yuan Li suffer the same loss he had suffered.

Yuan Li scratched his eyebrows and said, "Does this guy think we're idiots, or does he think he's an idiot?"

Wen Hu said, "That's where his profound understanding lies. He is wise in appearance and foolish in appearance, and sometimes it's hard to tell the difference."

Liao Yiwen, standing in front of Yuan Li, said, "Your Highness, although the business of immortal wine in the western region of Dajing has not yet been launched, it is only a matter of time before we can do it, since immortal wine sells well."

Yuan Li said, "But Zhao Cheng didn't mention the Immortal Wine recipe to you at all. He's got a good plan. If we really start operating the Immortal Wine business in western Dajing, we'll still have to get our supplies from him, which means we'll be helping him make money."

Liao Yiwen was stunned for a moment, then said, "But Zhao Cheng handed over the operating rights of the Immortal Wine in Changsui City, and he... he also sent over thirty million taels of silver!"

Yuan Li's face darkened. He said, "As long as he doesn't give us the recipe, the distribution rights for the Immortal Wine in Changsui City will be the same as those in the western region. As for the thirty million taels of silver, he already promised it to His Majesty!"

Liao Yiwen immediately understood, knelt down, and said, "This humble official is incompetent! This humble official has failed in his duties, please forgive me, Your Highness!"

Yuan Li sighed, "This matter has nothing to do with you. It would have been the same result if someone else had gone. Stand up and speak. There's no need to blame yourself."

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness!" Liao Yiwen kowtowed several times to Yuan Li before standing up.

Yuan Li said, "You should send the silver to His Majesty now, so that he doesn't think we've done anything underhanded."

"Yes!" Liao Yiwen turned and left.

Yuan Li shook his head, glanced at Wen Hu, and said, "In my opinion, Zhao Cheng is just a wise man pretending to be foolish. Look at his petty schemes, every step he takes is disgusting us. Humph, having Liao Yiwen bring back the silver he promised to the Emperor, what a dirty trick he came up with!"

Wen Hu nodded and said, "Yes, we need to be extremely careful when dealing with Zhao Cheng!"

Yuan Li sighed, "I really didn't expect this. My brother was so wary of Zhao Huan, but he couldn't stop Zhao Cheng from suddenly appearing."

Wen Hu said, "Zhao Huan has four sons after all, and there will always be one who is just as difficult to deal with as him."

Yuan Li asked, "So what do we do now?"

Wen Hu said, "Zhao Cheng sent Liao Yiwen back with these words, ostensibly to discuss things, but in reality, he has already refused. He's just stalling for time and will never truly give us the operating rights to the Immortal Wine. Your Highness, since he has refused, let's take action!"

"Make a move?"

Yuan Li narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at Wen Hu and said, "You mean, you want me to take down the Right Prime Minister's residence just like I did to the Left Prime Minister's residence?"

Wen Hu clasped his hands and said, "Only with the Right Prime Minister's residence gone can Your Highness truly rest easy!"

Instead of agreeing with Wen Hu, Yuan Li took a few steps forward and said, "Brother, do you know how people in and out of the court evaluate me?"

Wen Hu knew this, of course, but dared not say it outright.

Yuan Li continued, "They say I am eager for quick success and instant benefits, self-righteous, and intolerant of dissenting voices."

Wen Hu said, "This must be a rumor spread by Marquis Qingdong and Minister He and others."

“I trust the character of Marquis Qingdong and Minister He.” Yuan Li shook his head and said, “I know they are dissatisfied with me, but they will only confront me directly, not slander me behind my back. The reason why I am regarded this way by the court and the public is because I acted too quickly against the Left Prime Minister’s Office and did everything swiftly and decisively.”

"Do you get me?"

Wen Hu lowered his head and said, "Forgive my ignorance, I don't understand."

Yuan Li walked to Wen Hu's side and said softly, "It's not that I don't want to get rid of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, and I know that keeping them around will cause endless trouble, but I can no longer be the one to take the lead in taking action against them."

Wen Hu instantly understood and exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness means that His Majesty must..."

Yuan Li nodded and said, "As long as His Majesty orders action against the Right Chancellor's Office, I am willing to be the one to carry it out."

Wen Hu looked worried and said, "But Zhao Cheng has sent another 30 million taels of silver. His Majesty will be overjoyed and won't think of doing anything to him."

"This is where you'll have to go." Yuan Li put his hand on Wen Hu's back and said, "Don't forget you have a Mr. Yu in your household. When you get back, tell him what I said and ask him for advice."

"Yes!" Wen Hu clasped his hands in a deep fist salute to Yuan Li.

He suppressed his excitement because this was exactly the attitude Yuan Li wanted!

As long as Yuan Li also supports taking action against the Right Chancellor's residence, his plan will not be hindered!

...

The Marquis's Mansion.

Wen Hu relayed Yuan Li's words to Yu Changsi without missing a single one. Yu Changsi sat in his chair, took a sip of tea, and remained silent for a long while.

Wen Hu was impatient. After pacing back and forth a few times, he urged, "Sir, please tell me!"

Yu Changsi pointed to the teacup and said, "This tea is too weak, let's get some wine instead."

Wen Hu was somewhat surprised and asked, "Sir, you don't usually drink much. What's wrong with you today?"

"Because I see hope."

Wen Hu was taken aback, and immediately ordered someone to bring the wine, then personally poured it for Yu Changsi.

"This incident illustrates two points."

Yu Changsi finally spoke up and analyzed, "First, Zhao Cheng's bottom line has been tested. He can give Yuan Xiu money endlessly, but he will never hand over the business. Because he understands that if his source of income is cut off, he may lose his life. Perhaps he is working so hard to make money in order to use wealth to protect his life."

"Secondly, by demanding the management rights of Xianjiu from Zhao Cheng in the name of the Central Secretariat, Prince Xin has already placed himself on the opposite side of Zhao Cheng. Knowing that the Central Secretariat is Prince Xin's sole authority, Zhao Cheng will inevitably connect this to the situation when Prince Xin took action against the Left Prime Minister's residence. In any case, Zhao Cheng should have already begun to prepare. As long as he makes a move, there will be signs. At this time, we need to send more people to keep an eye on the Right Prime Minister's residence and collect any unusual information from them."

Wen Hu asked, "But what's the use of just knowing this? Prince Xin's side is unwilling to take the lead, so the most important thing now is to get the emperor to make trouble for the Right Chancellor's Office."

“The Emperor has never truly trusted the Right Chancellor’s Office. Think about it, how many times has he considered killing Zhao Cheng?” Yu Changsi smiled and said, “So this matter is not difficult.”

Wen Hu bowed to Yu Changsi and said, "Please enlighten me, sir!"

Yu Changsi said, "But this can't be done in one go; it needs to be done step by step. The emperor is very suspicious. If you give him the conclusion directly, he will doubt you. You have to let him become suspicious on his own and intensify that suspicion. When the time is right, everything will fall into place naturally."

Wen Hu said, "I understand the principle, but how do I start a fire?"

Yu Changsi picked up his wine bowl, took a sip, and smiled, "The reason I want to drink is because I've already thought of three things to do for you, Lord Marquis!"