Chapter 75 Old Friends Talking About New Things [Bonus Chapter]
Gao Huan put up a little resistance, but then had no choice but to give in.
He then said casually, "Grand Tutor, we cannot remain stationed in Yong'an City indefinitely. Compared to the aristocratic families, it is Zhi Fang and his son who hold a large army that we should be wary of. In my opinion, it would be better to detain Zhi Junyuan and bring him back to the capital as a hostage."
"We still need to place some people in Yong'an City. What do you think of my uncle?"
"Grand Tutor is wise. This man is ingenious. He comes from a noble family but has no connection with the noble families of Yong'an City. Most importantly, this kinship is marked by your influence. He can coordinate the relationship between Zhifang and the noble families of Yong'an City, and at the same time guard against both sides, killing two birds with one stone."
Guan Zhiwei nodded. "Guan Zhang has come all this way, we can't let him leave empty-handed. Go and take care of it."
Gao Huan laughed: "Isn't this killing two birds with one stone, or even killing three birds with one stone? I'll arrange for someone to hold Zhi Fang hostage, and Zhi Fang and his son will definitely harbor resentment towards me."
"What does it matter if you offend Zhi Fang and his son? Even if you are at odds with the entire court, I will still stand by your side."
Why would I make an enemy of the entire court?
"Don't worry about that, I'll figure something out."
"..."
Gao Huan muttered to himself, "Fine. Every country has its share of praise and criticism. A loyal minister should bear the blame himself and the praise of his superiors."
Guan Zhiwei scoffed, "She's quite good at putting on a good show."
Knowing that Junyuan had gone to the battlefield at a young age and was far more promising than other sons of the Gao family, but being the son of a subject, he suffered some exclusion. Gao Huan, being frail and sickly, had never excluded Junyuan, but he did envy him.
When old friends reunite, there is little affection and much suspicion.
"Si Lang, the situation was chaotic at the time. I never expected you to return safely. It's truly fortunate."
Knowing that Junyuan had invited Gao Huan to drink, the two drank together.
“I was traveling with the team that was escorting the goods when I heard that something had happened. The men started to get restless. I was weak and no one believed in me, so I had no choice but to run away, which saved me from disaster.”
Gao Huan knew perfectly well that, given his physical condition, he couldn't even control those soldiers, let alone Zhi Fang and his son. From a certain perspective, Gao Chang's choice to stay in Shangjing instead of traveling with Zhi Fang and his son was reasonable and justified.
None of them could control such a fierce general, and the aristocratic families' control was only temporary. Only Guan Zhiwei could subdue force with force.
“Logically, we should support the Gao family’s descendants after Grand Commandant Gao’s death, but we had a conflict of political views at the time.” Knowing he was in the wrong, Zhi Junyuan apologized first, then said, “Fortunately, we are now serving the new master together, and we want to put aside our old grudges and start anew.”
Gao Huan said with a smile, "That's natural."
Zhi Junyuan was quite straightforward: "Then I'll be frank. Fourth Brother, could you please refrain from speaking ill of me to the Grand Tutor? My father and I are now truly serving under Grand Tutor Guan."
Gao Huan encouraged Guan Zhiwei to detain Zhi Junyuan and then plant Guan Zhang next to Zhi Fang, revealing his malice towards the father and son.
He remained unmoved: "I'm doing this for your own good, father and son. If a minister is too powerful, he will inevitably lose his position. If the power of life and death falls into the hands of a minister, the ruler is in danger of losing power. Therefore, a ruler must be careful in choosing his ministers. I am holding you and your son hostage precisely to protect you both."
So it was for your own good.
All the "I'm doing this for your own good" statements in this world are actually "I can profit from it."
Zhi Junyuan frowned, and after a long while, he said, "I admire your quick wit, Fourth Brother."
That's a very insincere statement.
Gao Huan shook his head helplessly and sighed: "Give me good advice, but if I can't accept it, then stop, lest I humiliate myself. I'll take my leave now."
Zhi Junyuan reached out to stop him, saying, "Don't rush. We haven't eaten yet. I can't let you leave hungry. Even if a deal falls through, we can still be friendly. That's the idea. I'm not as bookish as you, so I can't explain it very clearly."
Gao Huan smiled and said, "I get tired even talking to aristocratic families, let alone Junyuan."
The two enjoyed the food, complained about the wealthy families, and shared a common hatred, which helped to bring the atmosphere back on track.
He had no intention of confiding in Zhi Junyuan or saying that things were not his own doing. Taking the blame for one's lord was also a subject's duty.
Judging from Guan Zhiwei's words, there will be many more such incidents in the future.
If his lord doesn't treat him like a human being, he can't treat himself like one either. He'll just have to take the blame like a turtle.
After the meal, Zhijun saw off his guests and returned to see his father, relaying the conversation.
Zhi Fang remained calm and said nonchalantly, "Just don't offend him, and don't get too close to him either. He has his reasons for doing this. He is a former master. If I were to collude with him, wouldn't that be undermining the Grand Tutor's power? His hostility towards you and me is a way to maintain balance, and the Grand Tutor is happy to see it happen."
Zhi Junyuan was frustrated: "Are we just going to let him tarnish our image in front of the Grand Tutor?"
Zhi Fang suddenly revealed a strange expression: "If you can gain a foothold in front of the Grand Tutor and see him every day like him, then you will naturally not have to worry about him doing something under the cover of darkness."
Zhi Junyuan stammered, "Father... what does Father mean! Father..."
Zhi Fang sighed. This child is too young and probably not as good at winning people's hearts as Gao Huan. He's probably useless.
Knowing that Junyuan was far away stirred up ripples in my heart. At the Guan family banquet, the Grand Tutor looked at me for so long, did he remember what I looked like?
Everything in Yong'an City needed to be reorganized. He was so busy that he barely had time to breathe, discussing various policies. Even Chen's eldest son was conscripted to run errands, which shows how busy he was.
Speaking of Chen Jia Dalang, he was still heartbroken from a breakup and was dragged to work overtime.
She muttered to herself, "Chang'e is ultimately a woman of the moon; she has no way to visit her neighbor in the east in this life."
They were conducting inventory and clearing.
People are going to have mental breakdowns.
Guan Zhiwei looked at him pitifully and then at Gao Huan: "Why don't you just give in to him?"
Gao Huan said coolly, "He admires the famous Grand Tutor Guan. Why don't you take him in?"
"Your husband."
"Your husband." Gao Huan didn't know what it meant, but she felt it wasn't a nice thing to say, so she repeated it.
The two pushed each other back and forth.
Chen Jia Dalang was even more heartbroken.
Just then, someone outside announced that Jiang Shuzheng was requesting an audience.
As soon as he came in, he said anxiously, "The noble families conspired to send a letter to the Yuan family, inviting them to the city. The Zhou family sent a caravan out of the city. The letter has already been sent out. I only found out about it now. What should I do? Will it delay my marriage with Liu Liu?"
Guan Zhiwei laughed: "Let's take down the Zhou family first, and I'll try my best not to affect your marriage."
These people all stay quiet under the pressure of the policy, but as soon as the policy is relaxed even a little, they all come back to life, eager to do something to hold the country back.
The head of the Zhou family was playing the zither. He knew it was all over when he learned that soldiers had surrounded the mansion, but he did not rush to flee. He simply placed the zither in the courtyard, and the music flowed slowly from his fingertips. He was truly dignified for a moment.
Guan Zhiwei patted herself down, but couldn't find any copper coins. She asked Gao Huan for a handful and threw them at the crowd.
Your magnanimity is probably worth this much money.
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