Cui Yanjin, his mouth dry and voice hoarse from talking, realized that tugging at the sleeve was ineffective, so he simply embraced Zhou Gu’s arm.
Zhou Gu, with disgust, "Let go."
Cui Yanjin looked at him with puppy eyes, "Cousin."
Zhou Gu looked at him.
Looking pitiful, Cui Yanjin said, "You know, in the Ministry of Works, the Old Minister is the most powerful. He’s like a lofty peak above me and he has entrusted me with this task. If I fail to complete it, he will make my life difficult."
Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow, "Then transfer to the Ministry of Revenue."
"Perhaps let’s not? I can’t just run away because it’s difficult. I’ve been doing well in the Ministry of Works." Cui Yanjin pleaded, "There are really a lot of things in the Ministry of Works that can’t be pushed forward, and as a member, I’m really anxious about it."
He continued pleading, "Please, dear cousin, it’s also for the rivers and mountains of Daliang, and for the future of your wife and child."
Zhou Gu laughed, irritated, "Your mouth sure knows how to speak."
Disgusted, he said, "Alright, let go. I’ve agreed."
Cui Yanjin suddenly became overjoyed, "Cousin, you really agreed?"
He had spent so much effort, talked a whole basket of words, and his cousin hadn’t said a word until now. Why did he agree all of a sudden? Oh, he mentioned it was for his future child’s world.
At that moment, the young Cui Yanjin realized that perhaps talking a lot, appealing to emotions, reasoning, going to great lengths to explain, and complaining might not always work. What works best is reaching the heart.
Him mentioning the world of their future children may have made his cousin happy, which led him to readily agree.
Dizzy, he stood up, looking at Zhou Gu with a face of realization, "Cousin, you’re so good, your wife will only love you for her entire life."
Zhou Gu: "..."
When had this guy become so perceptive? To speak such pleasing words?
After Cui Yanjin finished, with certainty, "Definitely will."
Zhou Gu didn’t care how he came to say it, as long as it was something he liked to hear, he waved his hand, "Alright, in seven days, I’ll get the painting for you."
Cui Yanjin nodded repeatedly, happily going to inform the Old Minister of the Ministry of Works about the good news.
The Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Works had been watching Zhou Gu and Cui Yanjin closely, witnessing how Cui Yanjin had tugged at Zhou Gu’s sleeve and embraced his arm, making creases in the priceless brocade on the body of the Master of the Imperial. Despite the visible disgust, the Master of the Imperial patiently listened to his relentless persuasion, never showing a cold face towards him. Seeing this, the Chief of Staff thought, it didn’t look at all like they were on bad terms.
Until Cui Yanjin returned with a happy face, the Old Minister knew that the matter was definitely settled.
Cui Yanjin approached the Old Minister’s desk, "Cousin has agreed, in seven days, he will give me the painting."
The Old Minister was thrilled, "Very good, very good, as expected of you, Minister Cui."
The Old Minister picked up a glass of wine, "Here, Minister Cui, the entire Ministry of Works thanks you."
"Oh," Cui Yanjin was delighted, "I am also a member of the Ministry of Works, so you need not thank me. If you need to thank anyone, thank my cousin."
"I am here to thank the Master of the Imperial," the Old Minister joined Cui Yanjin for a drink, then filled his cup again, carrying it over to Zhou Gu.
Zhou Gu raised his eyebrows as he looked at the Old Minister. "Old Minister Feng."
The Old Minister, named Feng Minghe, held up his cup with a grateful, beaming face, "I am shamelessly imposing by asking Lord Cui to approach the Master of the Imperial to request a painting. It really shouldn’t have distressed you, but your painting is indeed necessary for the Ministry of Works. Thank you for agreeing, Master of the Imperial."
Zhou Gu smiled and gestured for the Old Minister to sit down, "Come, have a seat. I’ve always heard that you can hold your liquor well. Honestly, just by virtue of your stature, Old Minister, all you’d need to do is speak a word. Serving the nation and its people, there’s no need for young Cui to fuss so much in front of me. Just one word from you, and for the sake of the whole kingdom of Southern Chu, where could I refuse?"
He raised his glass in return to the Old Minister, "You exhaust yourself for the Imperial Court, striving for the welfare of the people. I toast to you."
Feng Minghe was seated by Zhou Gu, thinking to himself that this was fitting for the Master of the Imperial, what beautiful words to say. Nonetheless, he dared not take them completely at face value. If it were about the whole kingdom of Southern Chu, every court official in all the provinces and counties could claim they were acting for the kingdom. But if such affairs that he should handle himself always troubled the Master of the Imperial, what would they, as court officials, be good for? Just to eat their fill?
He chuckled, "No, no, no. I toast to you! That painting of yours was incredibly exquisite, perfect brushwork. It delighted me so much at first sight, I greatly admire your immense talent. If it were someone else, no matter how many places they traveled, they might not be able to produce such a painting. Especially since I heard that you completed that painting in just one hour. It’s truly amazing."
Zhou Gu laughed, "I studied for a few years when I was young; I didn’t expect it to catch your eye, Old Minister, you flatter me."
"Not flattering at all, I toast to you. Anyway, I greatly admire and am very grateful to you. Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to gift the Ministry of Works a painting," the Old Minister lifted his cup.
Zhou Gu drank with a smile, "As officials in the same court, Old Minister, there’s no need for formalities. If in the future the Ministry of Revenue needs the support of the Ministry of Works, I won’t hesitate to help you."
The Old Minister laughed heartily, "Naturally."
The two drank several glasses together and chatted for quite a while before the Old Minister returned to his seat.
Cui Yanjin was whispering with someone else when the Old Minister returned and patted him on the shoulder, "Lord Cui, did you really offend the Master of the Imperial before?"
"Yes, I did. Why do you ask?" Cui Yanjin looked at the Old Minister. "But I have since apologized to my cousin, and he has forgiven me. We’ve made up."
The Old Minister sighed, "No wonder. You’re quite clever. The Master of the Imperial is not one to be taken lightly, and yet you’re still on good terms. It must be because he’s your cousin, right?"
Cui Yanjin didn’t quite catch the Old Minister’s point, "Perhaps! My cousin is pretty great."
The Old Minister nodded, "Yes, even when the Ministry of Works requested a painting, he just told me that if the Ministry of Revenue ever needs something from the Ministry of Works in the future, he won’t hesitate."
He sighed, "Ah, the Ministry of Revenue has many complicated and important matters to handle. I truly fear that the price of that painting might be too high, and that our Ministry of Works might not be able to repay it in the future. So, Lord Cui, you must shoulder more responsibilities in the future. The Ministry of Works is relying on you."
Cui Yanjin: "..."
No, his shoulders were too narrow; he wasn’t ready to bear the weight of the entire Ministry of Works.
Zhang Yun and Nangong Che returned from outside. Both seemed in good spirits, clearly having enjoyed their conversation. Nangong Che returned to his seat, while Zhang Yun went straight over to Zhou Gu.
One was in the Ministry of Revenue and the other in the Ministry of War; besides seeing each other at the Imperial Court, they hardly had time to sit together and chat. After all, since Zhang Yun’s return to the Royal Capital, he had been so busy getting acquainted with the affairs of the Ministry of War that he hadn’t even had time to join Zhou Gu for a drink.
Today, at the Jeweled Grove Banquet, he finally had a moment to spare, so he came over.
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