"Of course, it's very likely that someone came to visit me this late at night and chose to join me like Li Di did."

"So what should I do? Should I give him this opportunity?"

Zhao Jun pondered for a moment, then finally made up his mind. He shouted to Chunxiang outside the door, "Go tell him I'm on important business. If he's willing to wait, he can wait. If not, he can leave."

The ball was kicked back into Xia Song's hands.

Xia Song stood outside the door. The sky was dark and the wind was howling. The Imperial City Guards were watching him closely. If he hadn't revealed his identity, he probably wouldn't have been able to even get close to the door.

This house, located on Qingtai Street near the Xihua Gate of the Imperial Palace, has defenses almost as strong as those of the Imperial Palace.

On weekdays, the streets were full of patrolling soldiers and spies. Even the two mansions on the left and right had been bought by Wang Shouzhong, sent by Zhao Zhen, for the guards to live in.

After a while, Chunxiang opened the door and stuck her head out, saying, "My husband said he's dealing with important matters and doesn't have time to receive you. If you're willing to wait, then wait. If not, then go back on your own."

"Thank you, Miss."

Xia Song's expression didn't change much, he just nodded slightly to indicate that he understood. Then he put his hands behind his back, holding the gift roll in his hand, and paced back and forth at the door of Zhao Jun's house.

He understood what Zhao Jun meant. He had offended the prefect before because of that incident. The prefect was narrow-minded and it would not be easy for him to let it go.

So I just let him stand outside the door and wait. It happened to be cold now, so when Zhao Jun was satisfied with him standing there, he could probably go in.

As long as you can get in, there's at least an 80% chance that things will work out.

So time passed minute by minute, and Xia Song went from being bored at the beginning to feeling a bit like being in prison in the end. He even squatted outside the wall at the door, holding a piece of grass he had pulled from the ground in his mouth.

He is fifty-five years old this year, but he is not ashamed of this at all.

To be able to climb from a military officer who was the least valued in the Song Dynasty to a third-rank civil official, one must not only be extremely capable and ruthless, but also have to be thick-skinned.

After waiting for an hour and a half, that is, three hours later, it was almost ten o'clock in the evening.

The door creaked open again, and Chunxiang poked her head in and said, "Jiajun has finished his work, so I'll let you in."

"call!"

Xia Song then breathed a sigh of relief, got up from the ground, and followed Chunxiang into the house.

I was able to keep my composure while waiting outside the door just now.

But for some reason, facing this dean who was already quite cunning and resourceful at such a young age, Xia Song couldn't help but feel nervous.

At this moment, Zhao Jun was already seated in the lobby. He did not go to greet him, which basically made his unfriendly attitude clear.

After Xia Song came in, he quickly walked over to Zhao Jun and bowed, saying, "This humble official greets the prefect."

"Minister Xia, please sit down."

Zhao Jun responded and said calmly, "This court is busy with official business, so I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."

Xia Song hurriedly said, "The Magistrate is sharing His Majesty's worries and serving the country and the people, which is the most important state affairs. However, I am sorry for disturbing you. I heard that the Magistrate likes calligraphy and painting, so I took two books. They are not valuables, so I hope you will forgive me."

As he said this, he placed the gift on Zhao Jun's desk with both hands.

"hehe."

Zhao Jun suddenly laughed.

This guy is really good at talking and doing things, much better than Liu Yong.

No wonder I can achieve this position today.

It's extraordinary.

"Okay, sit down and talk."

Zhao Jun did not refuse Xia Song's gift and waved his hand to signal him to sit down.

He knew that Xia Song would not be stupid enough to give him such a valuable gift. At most, it would be a handwritten copy left by a great scholar from the Tang Dynasty.

This kind of thing can be bought in the market for a few or at most dozens of strings of coins. It is not expensive, but it is not embarrassing to give it away, and it will not leave any handle for others to use.

"Thank you, Master."

Xia Song sat down.

Zhao Jun, knowing the truth, asked, "Why did the Minister come here in the middle of the night?"

"I am here to confess my crime."

Xia Song said seriously.

"oh?"

Zhao Jun seemed quite puzzled and asked, "What crime has the Minister committed?"

"I was blinded by greed and did indeed run into Liu Yuanyu by chance in the corridor. He complained to me, and I casually mentioned it to him. I never expected he would take it seriously. I regret it now."

Xia Song suppressed his slightly panicked mood, stood up, and bowed to Zhao Jun, saying, "I have come to apologize. I hope you will be magnanimous and forgive my mistake."

Zhao Jun looked at him for a long time.

Xia Song still maintained his bowing posture, feeling terrified inside.

If Zhao Jun doesn't accept it.

Then his life would be over.

However..

About a minute passed.

Zhao Jun suddenly laughed, stood up, helped Xia Song up, and said, "It was just a small matter. I had forgotten it a long time ago. It was Master Ziqiao who was worried."

In an instant.

Xia Song finally let go of the worry in his heart.

The atmosphere in the whole room suddenly became relaxed.

thing.

It's probably done.

(End of this chapter)