"Buying and selling?" Ji Xuan savored the word with amusement. "You treat the imperial court like a marketplace, haggling over prices?"
Upon hearing this statement for the first time, Ji Xuan couldn't help but chuckle.
I think these two words are actually quite... fitting.
Ultimately, matters of the imperial court are about balancing the interests of all parties and achieving the greatest effect with the least cost.
“Of course not,” Huang Xiaosan said seriously. “However, since it concerns my own interests, I must weigh it carefully.”
"That's right, it's not that we don't agree, it's just that we have conditions. Whether His Majesty agrees or not is none of our business."
Huang Lao Er shut them down with just one sentence. He always felt that if Ji Xuan found a loophole, the two of them would be in a very passive position.
Ji Xuan took in the performance of the two brothers and was very satisfied.
Having only been in Beijing for a few days, these people have grown beyond their expectations. Even the most honest and straightforward person will subconsciously be wary of others.
Ji Xuan was very tempted by such a teachable talent.
“I agree,” Ji Xuan nodded gently. “Grand Secretary An is a pillar of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and I also wish him good health and longevity.”
Such high-sounding words made the two of them inwardly complain.
He clearly felt that the person was in the way and wanted to expel them from the court, yet he said it so nicely. People who didn't know the truth might really think that the emperor cared so much for his court officials.
Cunning!
The two brothers both labeled Ji Xuan with this tag.
They exchanged a glance and immediately expressed their gratitude, saying, "Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty."
"It's nothing," Ji Xuan said, changing the subject. "Huang Shu, General Wang praised you and Jiang Chao for your talent and is willing to mentor you for a while. What do you think?"
Ji Xuan never expected that Jiang Chao also had a talent for military strategy and tactics.
Such a beautiful piece of jade, yet his mind is not on the court. I really want to restrain him and teach him a lesson.
"Let's talk about it next time," Huang Lao Er said with a simple smile. "I'll discuss it with Jiang Chao later and then report back to His Majesty."
"That's fine too."
Upon hearing the purpose of the two brothers' visit, Elder An's expression darkened. "I would never stoop to being the steward of your household like that shameless Liu An."
An Qingyun, a dignified Grand Secretary, couldn't bear to lose face like this.
“You’re underestimating yourself too much,” Jiang Chao’s lips twitched. “A veteran of three dynasties, how could you possibly be in charge of someone else’s affairs? We’re just here to help you recuperate.”
Liu An really messed up the two Grand Secretaries. Upon hearing their words, his first reaction was to become a steward.
Which household manager would dare to employ a veteran of three reigns?
Cough cough...
Grand Secretary An also realized what was happening, and his face turned bright red.
He cursed himself inwardly for his own depravity, that a senior official should not have treated him like a manager.
“My two nephews,” Elder An said after calming down a bit, “this matter is of great importance, and I must give it my full consideration.”
“Okay,” Jiang Chao said calmly, “there’s no rush.”
After finishing their conversation, the two brothers left without lingering.
"Jiang Chao," Old Huang said nervously, "Will Grand Secretary An really agree?"
"certainly."
How did you figure that out?
“The fact that Grand Secretary An did not refuse outright, and even subconsciously considered taking on the role of steward, shows that he was already interested.”
"Since you're interested, why not just agree?"
“That’s called keeping a low profile,” Jiang Chao chuckled. “That’s the usual way people in the capital act. Even when things are really bad, they’ll put on airs and pretend to be as immovable as a mountain.”
"I see," Old Huang said suddenly, "No wonder they always have that 'keep away' look on their faces."
It was all an act.
Suddenly, I found it difficult to look directly at these imposing courtiers.
"We'll encounter people like this a lot in the future, we'll get used to it."
Upon hearing this, Boss Huang narrowed his eyes. "Jiang Chao, how do you know so much?"
They seem to know a lot about it.
He clearly had no experience with these things.
“Well,” Jiang Chao said awkwardly, rubbing his nose, “I used to do the same when I fought. If I didn’t act fierce, people would think I was easy to bully. These court officials are the same.”
The principle that "one thing leads to everything" applies here; everyone has emotions and desires, so how can one always wear the same mask?
Boss Huang: ...
I never imagined that fighting could be used in this way.
They felt that Jiang Chao was very capable after arriving in the capital, while they were timid and hesitant, afraid of making a wrong move.
How about we try a fight?
For the first time, Huang Laoda felt he had been too obedient, and rebellious thoughts began to sprout.
Shaking his head to clear his mind of the jumbled thoughts, he murmured, "I wonder how things are on the second son's side, and whether His Majesty will agree."
"If there are no surprises, they should agree. Getting rid of Grand Secretary An will relieve His Majesty of one worry."
Just as Jiang Chao had predicted, Grand Secretary An did not dare to be reserved for long. Half an hour later, he sent someone to inform him that he had agreed.
Jiang Chao could see it, and the old fox An Ge Lao had already seen it long ago: the An family was at the point of its decline after being on a hot spree of power, and he had been secretly anxious about it all along.
The complex web of interests means that even those who are willing to do their utmost to ensure the continuation of the Great Zhou Dynasty will not be allowed to do so by the powerful clans behind them.
Even if his two brothers hadn't come, he was determined to take the path of the banished immortal to protect himself.
Temporarily retreating from the limelight, biding one's time, and then making a comeback is the only way to achieve great success.
In any case, he must dedicate himself to the Great Zhou and leave his mark on history.
However, since he was invited by others, he managed to save face and didn't have to be a manager like Liu An. Grand Secretary An was quite satisfied.
"Have someone pack my things. I'm going to stay at the Immortal Manor for a while."
“Father,” An Congfeng said, puzzled, “didn’t we just offend the Lady Protector of the Nation? Aren’t you afraid of walking into the lion’s den by doing this?”
"You," upon hearing this, Elder An couldn't help but shake his head, "you've lived such a long life in vain, you're not even as good as a few young lads."
In officialdom, there are no permanent enemies; what matters is what is in one's own interest.
If Liu An dared to collude with Qi Yong, what's so surprising about me temporarily making peace with the banished immortal?
They weren't originally mortal enemies.
Thinking about it this way, An Ge Lao felt a little better, as his heart was originally heavy and blocked.
Although he was a high-ranking official, his belly couldn't hold a boat; he lost most of his wealth and still feels resentful to this day.
If it weren't for the celestial wine nourishing his body, he might have been so angry that he would have been bedridden long ago.
"My son simply can't swallow this!"
Millions of taels of silver, tens of thousands of acres of fertile land, and countless mansions and shops...
Everything their entire family had worked so hard for over decades had vanished in an instant; they were so desperate they wanted to kill people.
Now, whenever An Congfeng thinks of the words "banished immortal," he feels a pain in his chest.
If it weren't for all the trouble she caused, the An family wouldn't have needed to cut their losses and survive.
He had secretly sent men to ambush the Huang brothers on the way, just waiting for them to pass by and kill them. However, his father told him that he needed to go to the Immortal Manor to recuperate.
“Even if you can’t swallow it, you have to,” Grand Secretary An said meaningfully. “If you’re really angry, just think of Liu Xun.”
He managed to retain at least 30% of his assets, which, though small, was enough to cover his daily expenses.
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